Made in Morocco dress, Goodwill

I've been wanting to show you this amazing cotton-rayon dress found at Goodwill for $6.99 a few months ago. The label is Soussan Designs Le Monde International and it was made in Morocco. It's so elegant; I just love it. 

It's a heavy dress to wear. As you can see, it has an uber full skirt times two layers.

I'm wearing it with gold-tone BCBG sandals (thrifted for $4.99) and a Made in Canada necklace pendant by Raphael from the 1970s.

I can even flip the top layer over my shoulders and change the look of the dress - how cool is that?

The really amazing thing: there was a white one in the exact same style right beside it on the rack in Goodwill! So dear readers, I bought two gorg dresses for $6.99 each! Must be a bronzed babe when I wear the white one or else I'll look like a dead fish ... self-tanner here I come! (P.S. I love wearing pink these days, especially after reading it makes you look younger -- in the pink, you know??).

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I'm to sexy for my (vintage Franco Mirabelli) shorts

My thighs look like tree trunks but I'm trying to ignore that for all these fab reasons:

1). I was modeling second-hand duds found at and styled by the vintage goddesses at Common Sort in Toronto's Parkdale neighbourhood. Owner Nicole Babin buys, sells and trades second-hand and vintage clothing and accessories, and she has this amazing blog where she posts pics of her customers modeling her wares. Fun eh? She's multi-talented as she's also a fashion photog and snapped the photo of me, above, and all the pics on her blog.

2). The shorts are by one of my fave Toronto designers, Franco Mirabelli, who has been making gorg women's styles for 25 years (found in specialty boutiques across North America and in his three Toronto boutiques, Mirabelli). His clothing is to die for (see that lime green tee in my header? That's by him) and he sources most of his fabrics from Italy AND he manufactures in Toronto AND he's just an all round nice guy.

So how could I resist when Nicole (left) brought me her lovely stylist (pictured right, whose name I can't remember), who in turn brought me these (1990s?) shorts? Well, dear reader, I couldn't. And I was having so much fun with the Common Sort gals (see post from last week, below, on my Common Sort adventure with gal pal Marsha), that it was all for the fun of it any way! For a run down on the rest of the outfit, all second-hand, follow the Common Sort link at the top of this post.

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1970s polyester + great styles

The 70s style influences are back in a big way - but sometimes the **originals** are even more stylish than the cheapie contemporary knock-offs in the malls. Take these hyper-flammable wide leg  pants (mix of nylon and polyester) in wild colours. On the rack they may have looked ridiculous but I saw their style potential. Aren't they swish?? Fab with a halter style top and 70s-inspired wedgie sandals.

The handkerchief skirt or dress is also back with a vengeance this season. I picked up an authentic one last summer in Toronto, seen here in Niagara Falls, Canada. You know, many of today's fast fashions are made with polyester, so I have absolutely no problems wearing the retro stuff.

Maybe the older fabric is even nicer? It's thicker and has weight to it and won't snag like the disposable type fabrics out there these days. What do you think? Regardless, in terms of style, sometimes the authentic 70s styles rock way more than the contemporary retakes of them - at least in the case of this dress. Just look at that back, those teeny spaghetti straps and low back.

Another 70s dress found in West Palm Beach, US, my most recent acquisition. Just love the style. My sweetheart beau bought it for me. Again, it's a thick polyester and the style is just fab. Long flowy wide skirt and an almost halter style bodice with darts that accentuate my barely there bust. They sure were teeny in the 70s - the waists on both of these dresses are wee wee. Then again, it's nice to be able to wear a dress that isn't bagging out in the boob area!

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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 so, and the owner said designers often come in and buy up neat pieces such as this to know them off.

I hadn't thought of that, but do I sound like a a crabby pants to say that so much of what's out there in fashion is knock offs, either of current designers or vintage looks? Guess that's the way it is. And am I being silly to think vintage is pure in this respect, void of any reference to the past? Probably.

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I am addicted to costume bling

So I admit it: I'm a costume jewellery addict. I can't stop picking up the odd piece at the thrift shop. Invariably they're super inexpensive (under $5) and supremely interesting. Here I am wearing my latest, a sturdily constructed necklace pendant that I am guessing is from the 1980s, perhaps the 1990s - hard to tell.

I bought it at Stretch Thrift in my 'hood for $3.99. I'm a real fan of the flat snake chain look that was popular in the 1980s. This necklace has exceptional detailing - I'm a big details gal if you haven't noticed! - and I also liked the style.

Let's zoom in for a closer peep. Just look at the intricate carve-out design on the pendant  part.
 

This is a view from the back. As you can see, the dual chain goes through two separate fixtures at the back, separated by a sturdy hinge. I get really jazzed when I see well-made jewellery like this. Much of the costume bling these days just isn't made that way.

Even at the clasp, you can see there's this cute carve-out motif on either end, and this darling little medallion piece suspended from the clasp chain, again with the carve-out detail. So sweet.

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Dream lamp & decor piece found a la thrift

Remember these gorgeous hammered hanging lamps I showed you post-Thanksgiving, found at the Ottawa-area Third World Bazaar? I've actually been coveting them for two years now. They're made in Egypt and cost $50-$150 or so depending on the size. I loved them and even though they were tres affordable, I couldn't spare the cash to buy one.

Well, looky looky what I found in a thrift shop the other day! It's a cut-out orb, likely from the Middle East, that's suspended on a think chain. It actually had a lightbulb and cord attached inside (it flips open), but since the electrical wasn't standard for this country, I took it out.

Isn't it beautiful? Best part: it was $3.99, at the just-opened Canadian Thrift shop on Pape Ave. Je love it. Right now I'm treating it as a decorative object. It's hanging from my window blinds looking more pretty than functional. In the summer I could pop a tea light in it and hang it outside over my balcony.

Just goes to show that you can find even the most specialized of items at your local thrift shop!!

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Happy New Year a la retro Michael Lax fondue pot

It may be almost 10 degrees C out but who cares? It's New Year's Eve and tonight my fam and I are having a retro-esque dinner by celebrating with a winter-like cheese and a meat fondue. I'm supplying one fondue pot, a truly retro enamel fondue set given to me by an old school chum. It was in turn given to her my her folks, who received the set for a wedding pressie!

The bottom says Michael Lax Design, Holland and the make is Copco cookware. Michal Lax was an industrial designer who was big in the 1960s, who died over a decade ago in 1999. Born in New York but trained in Finland, he was known for bringing a Scandinavian sensibility to American-made products and was apparently also responsible for introducing enamel to cast iron. Looks like I may have a collectible piece here - btw, it looks like it's never been used!

Happy New Year!! kxo

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My Thirft Gift to him

So you must be bursting with anticipation: what on earth did I get my mannie for Christmas? Several things, among them this 'gift of thrift' that I felt sure applied to his life as a pilot who travels around all the time.

It's a retro leather traveling case. Looks like it's never been used!

The case, and all the utensils in it, have "Made in Western Germany" stamped or engraved on them.

I think I may have been more thrilled about the gift than my man! I love the chrome-covered tops on the brush, toothpaste and soap holders. So sleek. So retro!

Just look at this brush. I mean, isn't it the absolute top banana?

And this razor and brush? How absolutely darling!

There was a second case, also made in Germany, that looked as though it was used, but I bought it and cleaned it up and gave it to my sweetie pie with the other one. Both were found at a thrift shop.

I just loved the sense of history and the quality, and the fact that the kits tied in however loosely to my man's life. He could use them or not - and if it appears that he's not getting any value out of them, well, I'll take 'em back!!

My little thrifting ways, btw, inspired my mannie to buy ME a little thrift gift for x-mas - his first ever!! It was a second-hand book. I think he was pretty pleased with himself. As was I!

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Patently gorgeous

I've been meaning to show you this patent (not sure if it's real) purse I thrifted at Goodwill for $4.99 a while ago. I just love it. It's in mint condition and is just the greatest shape, with the coolest detailing.

What I love about retro purses is that they are so sculptural. And check out the hardware on this baby - don't you just love it? This is my new fave purse. Maybe I'll wear it to a holiday-ish event.

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Designer dress for $7.49.

My lovely vacay is over so we are back to regular Grunge Queen programming - sorry for the spotty posts of late!

I have a definite thing for the lovely clothing made by local Toronto designer Franco Mirabelli. Unfortunately I can't afford to buy it new, being grungy and all.

The great thing: the designer's styles are so classic, and the fabric (all very fine and bought in Italy) of such great quality that if you find his pieces used, they look brand new. It's also made right here in Toronto, Canada - an increasingly rare thing in the designer apparel world as many who are as large-scale as Mirabelli have gone off-shore.

Take this lovely grey dress by Franco Mirabelli that I found at the Goodwill on St. Clair West in Toronto.

It was $14.99 less 50 percent (50 percent off days are frequent), which brings the total to a whopping $7.49!

Yippee, I finally have a Franco Mirabelli dress! I will have to email Franco and let him know how much I love it!

I'm wearing it here with a thrifted sequined purse by Danier Leather ($3.99 or so if memory serves), and some new-new sexy sandals I bought on clearance last week for $29. So the entire outfit minus the jewellery = $40.48.

Grunge Queen success!

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Launch party of 1212 decor in Toronto

Does this look like a bed fit for a queen, perhaps a Grunge Queen?

Hey, that looks like a crown on the bed to me.

I could have slumbered and dreamed all night long after the official launch party last night of 1212, a swank new design shop at 1212 Yonge St. in Toronto.

Many of the colours, as you see here, match the beachy hues I was talking about yesterday.






















Check out this occasional chair by Avant Garde - it's covered with this nubbly terry cloth material.

Loving the pink rattan table beside it.

These are not Grunge Queen prices by any means, but I'm too excited by the colours and styles to worry about that.

Let's just call this post a Grunge Queen inspiration post.



















As Creative Director Alexander Donovan explained to me, 1212 carries a melange of styles and decor pieces and embodies the ethic that decorating should be fun, not a thing to be afraid of.

Well I'd say that jives with the 'ole Grunge Queen philosophy pretty well.



















The full-service design shop carries the most comprehensive selection of works by the designer, artist and illustrator Larry Laslo of Larry Laslo Designs.

Mr. Laslo was on hand last night and gave me a personal tour of some of the shop and showed me some of his furniture pieces, which he describes as structural.


















Laslo's colour palette isn't like the beachy one I'm showcasing here, but his pieces are lovely.

This French Deco sofa ($6240.00), which I hope isn't too dark in this pic, is one of his creations.

Interestingly he told me that for some reason, a couch is the hardest thing in the world to design. I would have thought the opposite: shows how much I know!






















Still, you can tell the man has some pluck, evidenced by the jaunty pinstripe suit he wore for the occasion.

He's posing for me here under a work of art he created - he started off as a painter, he told me.

The piece is called "Take a Spin" and it's covered with 10-15 coats of resin to give the surface a super gloss look.

Love it. Want it. Won't even bother to look at the price.























The only thing that I could afford, and that would be in a pinch, is one of these gorgeous mixed ribbon pillows, $435 each.























Worth a pop in for a gander.

1212 Yonge St.
416-646-1234
toll free 1-877-999-1235

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Pepe jeans, too short & big

Ok, so you're looking at my butt again today.

But I just had to show you the ab fab detail on the pocket of my 'new' thrifted Pepe Jeans.

Aren't they boho chic?

Pepe Jeans is a London-based company and I'm betting their wares aren't cheap - haven't researched yet but I remember buying a pair 20 years ago and they were $$$.

These were $7.99 at Stretch Thrift.

I almost didn't buy them for me because they were way too short in the leg and big around the waist.

But I couldn't leave 'em behind. A belt solved the waist prob and some high heeled booties funkify the short factor, don't you think?

I love Pepe's roots: the company was started in 1973 bytwo brothers who sold their denim along London roadsides before hitting the bigtime.

The denim is so sturdy, and the detailing so wonderful, that I can understand why peeps spend hundreds of bucks on designer denim.

But they may not know the secret of shopping thrift. I buy all my denim at thrift shops and have found some excellent jeans, including Paige denim. Bongo jeans, though they are on the lower end of the jean scale, fit me so well and I always pick 'em up for $4.99-$6.99 a pair.

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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 I paired it with jeans, high-heeled booties and a funky thrifted necklace.

I've never heard of this label before but a quick peep at the website
reveals lovely designs - look like the designer is based in Marseille in the south of France.




Here's a view of the back.




















And the collar at the back.




















And the buttons.

Sigh. Can you fall in love with a blazer?

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