Thrift gift scores for the holidays

I have to finish showing you some of the thrift gifts I gave to family members this holiday season. First there was the Mark Foreman wrap dress for my sis (see post from last week).

Then there was this darling studded BCBG Girls purse for my tweenie niece, thrifted for a few bucks.

The lining has these darling little butterflies all over. I swear, the purse hadn't even been used! I bought this months ago and just put it aside, knowing it wasn't for me and that I'd find the perfect person to give it to.

And she LOVED it! Thrift gift score!!

And who is this? It's my Dad, the man in my life who is so hard to buy for, who rarely gets excited over the socks and CDs I've thrown his way over the years in the form of gifts.

Wait, doesn't he look completely absorbed here? It's Christmas morning and he has his nose in a book?

Enter thrift gift score number two:

A hard cover book on movie musicals with amazing photos of the movie stars who starred in them. The book was $3.99 at my local thrift shop.

Yes, he loved it. And so do I - flipping through it and looking at the pics reminded me of watching all those movies with Dad while I was growing up. He got me hooked on Saturday Night at the Movies on TVO as a teen, and as a family we watched many of the old flics together.

It was a truly successful thrift gift, and I'm so thrilled he liked it.


Meanwhile: the cashmere sweater for my other sis? Not the best fit. I'm keeping it instead and am looking for another thrift gift for her.

Read More

Retro Christmas ornaments from my past

Happy Christmas to all!

Hers's a pic of my parents' tree, with a much beloved teardrop ornament from the 1970s that we grew up with - there are only three or so left.

I loved these teardrops as a kid, and I still do.

It still has the old string on it, can you imagine? And it looks like the top bit is rusted!






There are only two left of this teardrop, this one and a red one, both faves.

Behind you can see a big red ball with white icing-sugar like designs on it. My Mom bought a box of those balls, in solid red and solid blue, when she was 21 and wasn't able to make it to her home for Christmas because of bad weather.

There are maybe half a dozen of these balls left, and we all love them as much as Mom does.

Speaking of being 21 and Moms, my Mom started a holiday ornament tradition when we were about 20. She gives all her girls, and now her grandchildren, a holiday tree ornament every year. It's such a nice tradition. Though I have never not gone home for the holidays, if ever I don't I know I can look at my ornaments and feel a sense of home ... and Mom, natch.

Have a lovely day.

Read More

Designer dress thrifted for my sis

Here's my sis in a dress I thrifted for her for Christmas, $9.99 at Value Village!!

Doesn't it look great on her?

I was SO pleased to find this dress. It's made by a Toronto designer Mark Foreman, who makes THE most flattering wrap dresses in wonderful mircrofibre fabric using the coolest patterns.

His label, Bionic Woman, can be found in hip T.O. boutiques like Eight on Danforth Ave. and Over the Rainbow in Yorkville and average $150-$200. Though I have bought one on sale at Eight I've found a few at Value Village in mint condition under $15. http://www.bionicwoman.ca/

My sis loved the dress. We figured it would rock in the summer with sexy strappy shoes and a tan.

I normally bag gifts as I believe in reusing, but this year I used paper - with three young nieces and nephews I didn't want to spoil the fun of tearing off the paper! I like the old-fashioned look of my sis's wrapped gift, pictured here. The matte golden paper with a light green bow I had saved from some press kit looks very eighteenth century, doesn't it? Like it was wrapped haphazardly in some market and parceled home in a carriage or something ....

For some fab tips on thrift gifts, and on eco chic and thrifty wrapping tips, take a peep at the new blog I just discovered called The Thrift Monster (great name!) http://thethriftmonster.blogspot.com/

Read More

Easy peasy holiday centrepiece

Sorry for the late post tonight. As I sit and do my holiday cards tonight I'm basking in the glow of this grungy-glam makeshift centrepiece.

I found these Williams Sonoma green pear-scented tea lights at my neighborhood dollar store (where I also got the cards). I plopped them on a silver tray I've had for years, picked up at a thrift store (silver trays are always in abundance for super cheap at places like Value Village), and voila, instant centrepiece.

Simple, elegant and all in five minutes - the Grunge Queen way! Now I must finish my cards. This week I'll also show some thrift gifts and a MISTAKE thrift outfit that is rather elf-like in its appearance! Goodnight!

Read More

Thrift gift: yellow shoes

I found these handmade in Spain Arnold Churgin shoes for $5.99 months and months ago (see prior post on shoes & decor under the Arnold Churgin label to the right).

I loved that they were in mint condition, and that jolt of colour - so 1980s. Alas I knew my tender tootsies would never wear them. They're a very small size 8. So I used them as decor.

Until I learned that my pal and colleague Alexis had a thing for 1980s pumps. I brought them in to work and not only did they fit her perfectly but they also looked fab with her outfit that day!

The shoes are a summer style pump, but Alexis shows us how you can make 'em more season appropriate by pairing them with a thicker cotton stocking.

I love the look Alexis! Wear them in good health.

Speaking of thrift gifts I will be giving a number of them to the women in my family this holiday season. It's the only way I can afford to give them quality designer clothing, and some of the pieces I just wouldn't be able to find new in the stores.

Read More

Magic window

My Moroccan hanging lamp (see yesterday's post) has me thinking of this pretty hanging ball I received as a gift recently.

I finally strung it up in my window the other day, substituting ugly fish wire for a bright bow another gift came wrapped in.
Looks pretty magical doesn't it?

I've tried to make this little nook cozy and magical looking at the same time.

I've tied back the Value Village curtains with a ribbon, and put the flower boxes from the balcony (dug out of the trash by my ex) on the window sill. So far the lavender is doing ok but it's so hot in this apartment I have to water diligently to ensure the other herbs don't dry up.

I hung up a blue glass ball I bought for myself on sale years ago beside the other ball.




And if you look closely you can see the tiny yellow crystal I bought a year or so ago (then stuffed in my closet and forgot about it until I unearthed it with joy the other day during a closet clean put).

You're supposed to put it in the south-western most corner of your living space to promote harmony. So that's where it is.

Hope it'll help those plants survive.

Meanwhile I've got my trusty purple water bottle - which just happens to match the sheers, go figure! - on the ready to spritz that lavender away.

I just love plants in the window like this. Not sure what I'll do when the winter comes and the windows get cold - will the plants be ok, do you think?

As you may have guessed I'm new to the plant thing.

My Hibiscus, also hauled in recently from the balcony, is turning yellow. Think it could be experiencing culture shock in this warm and non-humid space.

Read More

Thrift ring challenge answered

The answer to the thrift store ring challenge you read about here:

The big pink & sterling silver cocktail ring, snagged for two bucks at my local thrift shop!

The other was purchased new at the Bay for over $50.

I loved this pink one so much, but so did my pal Parm, and it did look so much better on her with her dark skin.

So now it's hers.

The wonderful thing about finding rings for so cheap is that I can give them away to good friends when they admire them ... and it's a tradition I like. It makes people happy; it makes me happy. Plus a ring is more symbolic and I'd like to think it serves as a concrete reminder of some of the friendships I have valued and value.

Read More

Worn rug finds happy home

Remember the 100 year-old Persian rug I bought for next to nothing? (click here to read about). It's currently rolled up under my brass bed as my CAT was destroying it. It'll stay there until he dies or I sell it (the rug, not the cat, silly), I guess.

This past Friday I was doing a shopping column in North Toronto and went into this shop I've been meaning to check out for some time, Around the Block.

It sells second-hand fine furniture on consignment. This hand-stitched rug didn't have a maker's mark, alas, but I loved it for two reasons: one, it was worn. I love the worn look - it means feet have walked over and people have lived around this carpet. An added bonus is that CAT could scratch til Doomsday if he wants; it'll only add to the overall look.

Two, it had the dark and light blues so rare in rugs of this kind.

Did it matter it was a long runner-type carpet? What do you think: I'm the grunge queen! It was only $95, a screaming deal.

I love the way it defines the space. That's my dining room, by the way.

It'll be my B-day gift from my Mom and Dad.

A bonus: this rug will complement the one I have stored away, so when I do take it out they'll be friends ....

Around the Block, 1903 Avenue Rd. 416-546-1760 unique@aroundtheblock.com

Read More

Nifty thrift gifties

Birthday gifts at the thrift store? Absolutely! Not everyone may appreciate them but if you find items you know the person will love, even used, go for it!

I put together a nifty thrifty gifty for my Mom that she truly loved (I presented it to her yesterday and she was thrilled).

First, she has a collection of teacups that she hasn't added to in recent years. I picked up a gorgeous cup and saucer at Value Village that I knew she'd like for $3.99 - maybe it will inspire her to display her collection as it's hiding away now.

The cup was the perfect vessel for the thrift store pin (again $3.99) - a pretty silver leaf with five leaves, one for every person in our immediate family.

Next I folded up on the saucer a gorgeous silk Diane von Furstenberg scarf that I found at Value Village for under $5, can't remember how much but it may have been as low as $1.99. The scarf is navy and has huge pink flowers and tiny white, yellow and red accents. She LOVED it.

I wrapped it all up in some cello and tied a yellow ribbon 'round the old thrift gift. For around 10 bucks I found a lovely gift for Mom - and if Mom ever reads this she won't be offended over my cheap gift; I think she'd be proud!

TIPS:
1). I do buy clothing for my twin sis as a gift, as she does for me, but I'd say to be careful with this one as it can be tricky. Make sure you can exchange the item with tags on. Most thrift stores don't do refunds.
2). The housewares section of the thrift store is always a good place to start to look for gifts, as you'll find certain collectibles there, anything from china and teapots to silverware, teak bowls and pottery. Unless your loved one is a knic-knac queen I'd stay away from anything that borders on cutesy or kitschy.
3). I always check out the scarves as they make great gifts for stylish gals. I look for quality, usually silk, and anything with a tag that says "London" or "Japan." Anything signed or with a designer name is normally a good bet. Make sure you pick out one with the colours that look amazing on your loved one!
4). If the person loves jewellery take a troll through the jewellery case, and look on top of it and around it too! If you're looking for rings try to get the person's size first, or create your own sizer by measuring a string around one of the person's rings and then take that string with you to the thrift shop. Remember there's a lot of collectible costume jewellery out there so you needn't look for the true gold stuff. A lot of costume rings from the 1970s, I find, have adjustable bands.
5). Guy gifts at the thrift shop? This one may be harder. I'd avoid the electronics aisle at all costs. Clothing may work for some men, but it would definitely help to know if he collects anything. I met a guy who collects old board games at VV the other day.
6). Don't rule out the books aisle. I've found some great - dated - books on decor, Canadiana, and art.

Read More

Karma Clusters: Box Groupings

Oftentimes collections can be accidental. Over the years I've accumulated a bunch of decorative boxes, many as gifts. For a long time I never knew how to display them. I'd try to incorporate them into my decor individually, and sometimes this would work. Recently I've discovered there's strength in numbers - and it's so much easier to just pile them artfully on top of eachother!

There is a little method to my display madness, though. As you see I've grouped solid-coloured boxes together in one tableau, and patterned or engraved ones together in another.

I call these box groupings Karma Clusters as I store little treasure from my past in them - everything from home-made Valentines and love letters to ticket stubs, my fave earrings from grade nine, a cork from France, and a bracelet from an old beau....

These box clusters emit mega happy rays, major nostalgia power that binds me to my past and invigorates my present in very self-affirming ways!

And it doesn't all have to be hidden. I get a quick Karma fix when I glance at this glass box and see an old spoon my childhood "Nanna" gave me as I loved it so; and a gold filter from a blue ciggy smoked in grade nine; and a skull and crossbones tag that was attached to some uber potent home-made beer my bro-in-law gave me in the 1990s; a bottle of perfume that used to belong to my best friend, her fave scent that reminds me of her .... btw I don't smoke any more so I can be nostalgic over my wild and carefree days of grade nine!

You can incorporate even the teeniest items into your decor. Remember there's no rule saying you can't surround yourself with the little bibs and bobs you love ....

Read More

$5 or less pick-me-up

Believe it or not, most of the fab jewellery I pick up at the thrift or second-hand store is 5 bucks or less.

My trick is to take a peep in the jewellery case, but pay more attention to what is deemed to be semi-crappy jewellery outside of the case -- either hanging on makeshift racks or jumbled in plastic trays on top of the jewellery cases.

Value Village tends to bag and hang the jewellery its price makers don't think merit a visit to the cabinet. True, most of this stuff is horrifying 1980s earrings and 1950s earrings worthy of some crafty project, but if you sift through it all you can find some gems, like the Art Deco-ish gold and yellow glass (?) pin I found for $1.99

Ditto for this sterling silver floral pin - same price.

Two of the stones were missing but I just happened to have some old pins with stones falling out hanging around my place - some hard core glue and a couple minutes got me a brand new brooch!

TIP: Sometimes the powers that be at VV circulate the pins out of the case to the cheaper baggie rack (haven't seen them do this with necklaces).

This gorgeous silver leaf pin was in the case for weeks and sat untouched - not sure of price inside but I bet it was more. I went back the other day and it was hanging on the rack for $3.99!

It'll make the perfect B-day gift for mom as she loves pins on her coats. It has five leaves and I know she'll appreciate the idea: one leaf for every member in our family.

Read More