Bling show-and-tell, on request

If I had my way, I'd show you way more bling-only shots, except that I think people shots are more interesting. So I'm glad Curtise requested a close-up of the necklace shown in yesterday's post as it gives me a chance to show off. This department store necklace was not thrifted, and it WAS a splurge item, but I had just put my Brit Hunk on a jet and wasn't going to see him for two more months at least, so I was so so sad. I love the blue and green...

Read More

Blue, blue & blue - yet I'm not blue!

I am back in the land of living after being away from home for almost three weeks! Thanks for all your kind comments and well-wishes re: the move to France. There is much to be done and I am feeling more than overwhelmed, but the excitement is palpable!It's been so hot lately (yay!) that I'm back to my simple pull-the-dress-over-my-head dressing style - I hope this isn't too boring for you. I shall try to accessorize with great bling since I have...

Read More

Thrifted French dress & France

I've been MIA this past week as we've been traveling. I have some pretty big news: after only three months in the UK, I am  moving with the hubby to France!! Major excitement! Fittingly, as we walked through the cobble-stoned streets of the old town in Annecy in the French Alps where we'll be living, I wore a thrifted dress with a Paris label but bought in a UK charity shop. Je love tossing on a simple microfibre dress in the summer - no fuss,...

Read More

Too small blazer & "replacement" bag

Ever bought a blazer that's too small, on purpose? I did. It's a petite size, and kinda sheeny/1990s, but I love the colour. I kindda like it fitted. With my second pair of skinny jeans bought for two pounds, and a simple tee, I think it looks pretty good.I'm also showing off my "new" handbag found at an Oxfam shop for five pounds. It's a leather Kelly bag style, with this amazing hardware as you can see, and in really great shape (1980s, I'm guessing?)....

Read More

More missing vintage bags

My blogging pals, we have been traveling this week so I've been unable to snap pics of my outfits. Now that we're home I shall put together some juicy ensembles to show you.In the meantime, I'll do a part deux of the vintage handbags that have somehow gone MIA during my move from Toronto to Ottawa in Canada, and then overseas to the UK. This was my FAVE carpet bag, Missoni-esque in look, in perfect condition, 1960s or 70s- bought for $60 (not a Grunge...

Read More

Vintage purses MIA

This picture, taken in the fall just before I left Toronto for good, is blurry - but it's apt as the vintage carpet bag featured therein is quickly fading from my memory ....No, it's not one of many given away or sold en masse when I moved overseas. I had just bought it and I specifically remember saying to myself, "I want to keep that" and packing it in a box with other vintage purses. The problem is, I can't find the box. It didn't come overseas...

Read More

What's hanging around my neck these days

I don't have any outfits to show today so I thought I'd take some snaps of recent vintage bling buys that I'm really digging. I found this uber heavy vintage choker on Etsy for a song, and I just love its weight and detail. No marks, but a great clasp, wonderful detail and very substantial.But bling doesn't always have to be substantial - this pendant isn't substantial at all in that it's extremely light. I found it in a charity shop for a pound...

Read More

My purple 1970s sunnies, on request, and thrifted New York look

I'm posting a close-up of the 70s sunnies I featured the other day, found in a Canadian hardware store for three dollars, on the request of Joni from Walking Colors - whose 1970s style, and sense of colour, I totally admire.This photo was taken two years ago exactly, when I helped do the PR for the Toronto Vintage Costume Jewellery Club's semi-annual show & sale. The 1950s necklace belonged to a seller, but the rest of the look was...

Read More

Cartier love band, hi and low versions

I'm not wearing a ton of rings these days as my wedding band has eclipsed all others. Due to my own stupidity, we had to go through a few sizes before getting it right (note: my husband was right about the size). Not having been married before, I've never worn a ring on my wedding finger. I love my rose gold Cartier Love Band.Then I saw this ring in my fave St Annes charity shop, the animal rescue one. It's a fake gold ring. Instead of diamonds,...

Read More

Take me to the prom!

I've been rummaging through all the dresses that I kept and moved overseas with me - and unearthed these vintage 1970s (?) gem, found at a thrift shop in Toronto for $6.99 Canadian - reader, I've never worn it and it still had the thrift shop tag on it!It's so pretty and feminine - a DEFINITE "take me to the prom" dress. The dress label says that it's from an old Toronto retailer/designer.Don't think the shoes are the best match but my stash has...

Read More

Steals & deals: Etsy tapestry bag and thrifted N. E. From pendant

Photo courtesy edenfound, Etsy.I have a confession: I've had this tapestry doctor's bag for weeks and I haven't shown you.After stalking it on Etsy for several days, I took the plunge. It's made in Italy and has this amazing hardware. It was a great price, and I saw a similar bag that cost waaay more. I just love it. The seller identified it as 1970s but I would have guessed it was more 1990s - what do you think?For its first outing, on a chilly...

Read More

My auction adventure

It began outside the sliding doors of Gerrard's Auction House.I had found a vintage bracelet in the open market area there a week before for a mere pound ninety-nine, so I went back to scout for more cheap goodies.The place was pretty quiet downstairs as there was an auction in progress on the second level.Then a blur of vintage purses on a counter caught my eye. I asked at the front desk and turns out they were part of the auction upstairs. I had...

Read More

Call me Tinkerbell

This is my latest thrifty find and style obsession: a sterling silver ball I found in a thrift shop for a pound fifty. It has wee bells inside so it makes wee Tinkerbell noises when you move. I used to work in a jewellery shop in the 1990s and these would sell like hotcakes. We called them Harmony Balls. Major nostalgia trip! Of course I had to have it. It came on a yucky fabric chain so I replaced it with a vintage chain I had.I decided to wear...

Read More

Jazzing up a new outfit with a long-forgotten thrifted gem

THRIFT ALERT: This is NOT a thrifted dress, but I did buy it at a closing sale for less than 50% off its retail price. I love the tattoo-inspired print of this Critical Mass dress. The Lacuzzo sandals are from the same sale, as is the Bibi necklace, which I will show you in a sec.THRIFT REALITY: I've had this gold-tone 1970s shawl for about six years - in fact, it was one of the first items I thrifted when I moved to Toronto. The funny thing is:...

Read More