Toronto Vintage Costume Jewellery Club

Yesterday I went to the first ever sale by the Toronto Vintage Costume Jewellery Club.

There was heaps of vintage and retro bling there, but my eye caught this 1970s carpet bag the moment I walked in the room, and it was love at first site.

I'm showing it to you here sideways so you can see the texture.

Yes, it matches my couch.

I had the pleasure of meeting the owner of one of my fave shops in Toronto, Bead Goes On (see my Top 10 Toronto Thrift Shops below) - funnily enough where I bought my first carpet bag. She and I and her pal went for brunch after and had a great time.

I'm thinking of joining this jewellery club, btw. It's only a $30 annual membership and they have monthly events. I'd like to learn how to value all the signed pieces I find at thrift shops!

They don't have a website but you can always email them at tvcjclub@hotmail.com.

Happy Monday!

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Disco belt & Halloween inspiration

When I was in grade 2 in the late 1970s, my Mom made me the most kick butt Halloween costume: and I became Wonder Woman.

She sewed silver tinfoil stars on my shorts, made me a crown of cardboard and tinfoil, and glued a red construction paper star on the front of the head piece. Red rubber boots, a red halter top, and a Christmas tree garland for a lasso completed the look.

Wish I had a pic of that.

Though this belt, which I picked up at a vintage-second hand store in the Junction in Toronto while doing a shopping column there, has a disco-crossed-with-an-Alexis-Carrington-from-Dynasty look to it, it reminded me of that Wonder Woman costume....

I love vintage and retro elasticized belts and am developing a little collection of them. They showcase my small waist and are just a fun way to zoot up an outfit.

Going to a Halloween party next week. Mmm. May be Wonder Woman if I can figure out a way to do it without donning shorts!

Thrift, second-hand and vintage stores are fab places to get ideas and pick up the fixings for Halloween costumes. Has anything you've found in these shops, or even in the back of your closet, inspired you to make and wear a costume this Halloween??

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