Yes, fashion & the dollar store can be in same sentence!

My face is blown out in this shot but I did that on purpose, ha ha: I wanted you to focus on the scarf.

Designer? Vintage? Mega bucks?

Nah.

Found at the best dollar store ever in the basement of Empress Walk shopping centre (located just outside the North York Centre subway stop).

It was a couple bucks.

Generally I don't go looking for style in the dollar store, but lesson number one when you're a deal diva is to have an open mind.

It's summer weight but I used it to jazz up a pair of riding pants and a chunky sweater by west-coast designer Talula Babaton (the latter thrifted for a song at Goodwill).

Other apparel items I buy at the dollar store?

White sports socks. Can't beat the price.

And sometimes, blush, you can find really decent undies and thongs for a buck. Hey, why pay more at the department store?

Do you have any dollar store fashion secrets?

P.S. Thanks to Antonella for snapping the pic!

Read More

Entry way re-do

My New Year's apartment makeover coverage continues ....

I've had this ratty old bookshelf since I was in my 20s, and I've carted it into every apartment I've ever had as it carries my overflow of books. It was a faded yellow when I first picked it up at some long ago garage sale; then I painted it a grotesque emerald green (hey I was in my 20s). It's been white for years now.

I decided to move it to my entry way area and use it as a bookshelf and accessories holder - one, to be different, and two, it made sense as I wanted something narrow in that space that I would not bump into or stub my toe on.

I threw an electric pink scarf over top as a runner (that I've also had since my 20s) and went to work.

On the lower shelves, I've stored scarves, a few vintage purses, and some boots (the latter from the thrift store - ooh I have a fabulous boot post coming soon!), along with some old books on dancing that I've hung onto since my dancing days in my 20s.

And do you see that green peacock fabric on the left-hand side of the third shelf from the bottom? Part of a skirt I've had since I was 15 - the skirt has long since fallen apart but I love the fabric so much I am going to get someone to make me a pillow.

I tried to make the top both practical and whimsical, like those "entry way makeovers" you see in the decor mags.

I love the glam little lamp I dug up at Goodwill for $4.99. I plopped a shade on it that I had around the house.

The clear glass ashtray (used here as a change holder) and paperweight were a few dollars each at thrift shops, and the brass bowl which holds my sunglasses was $3.99 at a thrift shop.

The painting, a work of folk art by well-known Nova Scotia folk artist Leo Naugler, is called "Skiing" and I love it. I bought it from a Toronto dealer for a good price.

Read More

My holiday dress: retro Go-Go meets modern chic

I was going to show you the thrift dress I bought for my sis for Christmas, but I still have to figure out how to download pics from my NEW Blackberry to my mom's computer.

This post, btw, is late tonight as I was in transit today, going home for the holidays. Tonight I went out for dinner with Mom and Dad and wore my fave new dress (newer than the one a few posts below!) that I picked up at Goodwill while doing a shopping column there about shopping in January when you're broke.

Don't you just love it? It's a vintage double knit wool dress by Butte Knit, a US company that was a mega clothing manufacturer in the 1960s and 70s. I researched the label and apparently this was from the early 1970s.

It fits me like a glove, and feels so sleek and chic - and yet it's toasty warm and a perfect dress for the cold winter night it is here in ole Ottawa.

It cost me $8.99. The value of buying vintage clothing such as this is that so often the pieces are so well made that they stand the test of time, in more ways than one. With the exception of some wear on the navy velvet stripe on the pocket, the dress looks new. And the style? Retro vibe, yes, but timeless nevertheless.

I'm wearing it here with some simple silver jewellery, navy tights, and my thrifted Kenneth Cole Reaction boots.

It's kinda retro Go-Go meets airline stewardess meets modern chic, yes?

Read More

New pillow, thrift outfit

Yesterday's post mentioning pillows was inspired in part by my dream pillow, pictured here with moi at an event I attended last week in the Beach at Jane Hall Design. www.janehalldesign.com

Jane is a creative colour guru and interior designer who works magic with fabric and rooms. This silk pillow, $88, is just the teeniest example of her decorating verve. I love it, but will have to leave it on my Santa wishlist for now. Besides I bagged a wonderful used pillow for $30, as you'll see from a post earlier this week.

Though I'm hating the way my hair looks in this pic (I'm trying to grow it, arg), I got a lot of compliments on my outfit that night, the entire ensemble being thrift.

The statement piece wool jacket made in Toronto by Miranda Lumley was only $3.99 at a 50 percent off sale at Goodwill - the Friday before last my date and I were on our way home from dinner and we saw the sign and ran in 5 minutes before close ... I found this in 2 minutes and I sure think he's a keeper if he can get off on hitting Goodwill after dinner....

The wool turtleneck was $5 or so, the Jones New York lined wool skirt I can't recall how much I paid for, and the chunky retro chain I bought for $15 at Bead Goes On in Toronto (see my Top 10 Toronto Thrift Shops below as that store is one of 'em). Even the blue beret and black cashmere cape (not pictured here) were thrift!

PHOTOS COURTESY PARMJIT PARMAR OF MONTANA RIDGE MARKETING & PROMOTIONAL SERVICES http://www.montanaridge.com/

Read More

Top 10 Toronto Thrift Shops, Finale!

Ok fellow grungers, so these last two listings aren't thrift shops per se, but they're pretty fab place to pick up some thrifty-type finds, and I haven't really covered the midtown area in Toronto (there are a couple thrift shops here, like Sally Ann and Goodwill on St. Clair Ave. West, but since I've already covered those I'm not writing them up.). Here's 9 and 10:

Midtown:

9). Bead Goes On
256 Soudan Ave. (just off Mt. Pleasant Rd).
416-481-7622

This is one of the teeniest shops I've ever seen but every time I hit Mt. Pleasant I check it out. Owner Cyndi is a blast and her collection of vintage and retro handbags, jewellery and some clothing and accessories is to die for. You can find every style and era from Victorian to Art Deco, everything from vintage croc bags for a couple hundred bucks to Hermes scarves for $150. Natch, I eke out the inexpensive costume jewellery, like the Sarah Coventry ring pictured here, bagged for $15, or the 1970s carpet clutch also pictured here, about $40.

10). Around the Block
1903 Avenue Rd.,
416-546-1760
www.aroundtheblock.com

I hit Avenue Rd.north of Lawrence Ave. West every few months and always find something in this fab decor and accessory consignment shop - the prices have been around the block too! There's everything from original art to Persian carpets and dining room sets, and the bonus is the decorative accessories like vases and lamps are super well-priced. There's also some good costume jewellery with more expensive baubles under glass. You can see a full review I did as a shopping columnist if you go to their website ....

Recent finds: Uber worn Persian style runner rug, in rare blue tones, for $95 (pictured here: can you spot the kitty?). My cats can scratch away on it all they like! Just the other day I found a WONDERFUL boho Victorian pillow here ... that I'm saving to show you in tomorrow's post!

Night night!

Read More

Top 10 Toronto Thrift Shops, part 2

Yesterday I started my Top 10 Toronto Thrift Shops; here are my second and thrift picks:



East/Central:



2). Pegasus Thrift Store

931 Kingston Rd., 416-422-0999

www.pegasusproject.ca



This shop is part of the Pegasus Community Project, a registered charity that helps developmentally challenged adults by giving them community-based day care opportunities and employment.



The hours are a bit wacky (call before you go), but I love this thrift shop, especially since it's moved into its new home. It has more of a boutique vibe and there are tons of treasures to be found, mostly in the accessories, book, and knick-knac categories.



I found this suede made in Canada purse with saucy buckle for $9.99. The blue lamp from a few posts ago was also found here.





3). Goodwill

60 Overlea Blvd., 416-422-0998

www.goodwill.on.ca



This is the best Goodwill in Toronto in my opinion. It's a huge store and always packed with heaps of clothing, shoes, furniture, books, art and fab bric-a-brac. Whether I go for a full-on dig or pop in for a few minutes I always leave with a steal. Prices not marked unless they're higher end; there are price caps on end of racks with general price range (blazers, $7.99 and up, etc), which I sometimes find frustrating: how am I to know if it's "and up"? The pricing seems to be at the whim of the cashier - still, deals are too good to complain about and Goodwill helps people in your community find and train for jobs.



Some fab finds recently: jackets galore! A DKNY blue silk jacket for $9.99; a 1980s cropped boil wool blazer made in Toronto by Miranda Lumley ($3.99 as it was 50 percent off day!); a TeenFlo little black dress for $6.99.

Read More

Ickky thrifty or nifty thrifty?

Reader, were these a mistake?

Blue. Suede. 1980s. Skinny pants. High high waste. $19.99 at Goodwill. Tags still on a week to exchange.

My case: One, love blue suede and velvet (witness new blue suede boots in previous post and countless blue and velvet pieces in my abode).

Two, couldn't afford the Hoss Intropia blue velvet skinny pants I saw at a lush new boutique in Toronto.

So when I saw these on the rack ....


I'm wearing them here with a cashmere sweater and scarf and a thrifted belt, and my amazing leather rider boots I picked up for $40 new at a liquidation store.

The look is sorta horse-y Ralph Lauren rider chick, especially when worn with my brown leather gloves and vintage wool blazer from Holt Renfrew.

I'm leaning towards keeping them. They're uber comfy and I think I can glam them up with high-heeled high boots. Just not so sure of the side angle: they're fitted but are slightly pooky in the tummy when I sit down.

What say you?

Read More

Super thrift outfit

Happy Halloween!

Here's what I'm wearing at work today for my costume, which is a generic Super Girl Hero type ditty. My pal and colleague Jill is Superman, or Superman's gal, depending how you look at it.

One of these outfits is thrift and the other isn't - can you guess which?

Natch, most of my outfit is thrift, and most items I wear in my every day life when I'n NOT super.

The red cashmere cape was $24.99 at Value Village, the short blue skirt was dug up at Goodwill yesterday for $5.99, the tights and top I had, and the funky disco belt was found at True Blue Vintage in the Junction (2919 Dundas St. West, no website yet) for $15 - thought it was pretty special.

The real deals were the blue suede boots made in Italy, bagged for $14.99 at Stretch Thrift on Pape Ave. in Toronto.

But I didn't win the contest, alas; Jill came in second.

Still I think thrift is pretty super. Maybe I should have called myself Shopping Girl?

Was your Halloween costume thrift or used?

Read More

Feathered fascination at TIFF

Fellow grungers, forgive me, I did not wear the poly maxi dress everyone loved so below.

But when I was invited to the Hats On For Awareness party Friday night benefiting the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health in Toronto, I knew two things: I had to wear a hat, and the hat offered me was never going to go with a 1960s poly maxi dress, alas.

Pal and artisan Victoria Feistner has recently launched her custom handmade hat design biz, The Emporium Esoterica, and these gorgeous "fascinator" hats are only part of the heady pieces she has in the offering.


Emcee Ambrose Price Ambrose Price of
HGTV singled out my hat as one of the TOP THREE, but alas I didn't get my chance to parade on the stage as the live auction was taking a long time and they needed to move things along.

But that doesn't change the fact that Victoria's hats rock and this one truly was one of the best toppers in a party where over 500 people attended, and $40,000 was raised for CAMH!

Alas I have some pics from the fete but I need to find out how to get them off my internal memory ... will post Twitter link soon to my media follow up on event.

And my maxi dress may have its day in the sun - or spotlight? - as I'm considering going to another bash next week ... stay tuned!

P.S. The dress IS thrifted - a black empire waist cocktail dress by MEXX found for $6.99 at Goodwill!

Read More

100% polyester dress - shall I wear to TIFF?

The Toronto International Film Fest is coming up and I may be going to a party or two, and though I have heaps of cute sexy dresses I could wear this thrift find is def a red carpet look .....

Only $6.99 at my local Goodwill, this vintage 1960s halter dress fits me like a glove - the halter style is so flatering as it makes the shoulders look more broad, and the inverted V pattern just draws the eye in and creates a narrowing effect.

So, eventhough I won't be walking the red carpet at TIFF and very likely won't be meeting the Brad Pitts of the world (though I may fall all over myself to get a good peep George Clooney), I'm thinking of wearing this dress.

Would I be making a mistake? Shall I go for a safe cocktail dress or go all out with this full-length 100 percent POLYESTER FROM THE 1960s thrift find - yes I think the polyester makes it slightly iff-y; then again it's so darn thick it's friendly to the flab.

Read More

Shoe boo

Here's my beautifully tanned foot - see post below - wearing ... ta da: my new sandals!

I had a good response to the Which is Thrift? post on new and used shoes.

Many people thought both pair of shoes looked new, but Style Symmetry and Smartchic (whose link I can't get to work, sorry) guessed right.

The sandal to the left was bought new for about $69.99 - not cheap for the Grunge Queen - while the shoe that was beside it by Geox was $6.99 for the pair at the Goodwill.

Here are my white feet from a few weeks ago, wearing my new silver Kenneth Cole ballet flat to the left (around $50 as part of a 2 for 1 sale), and on the right a used pair of Kenneth Cole flats bought at the same Goodwill for $6.99!

Both are in mint condition.

Kudos to your thrifty reasoning for those who guessed right and thanks to all who posted comments!

Just goes to show that it is possible to find new shoes at the thrift shops - it's not easy but sometimes you can score big. I look for shoes that don't have a worn look or stink too much. A current style always helps but sometimes you can find some fab 1980s heels that could be spruced up with a visit to the shoe repair doctor.

Read More

Goodwill dig after column yesterday

I'm not trying to be fresh.

I just want to show some of the fab stuff I picked up at the Goodwill thrift store in Toronto after doing a shopping column on St. Clair Ave. West yesterday.

These sexy fabric and leather stappy cork wedgies with padding on the sole by Foot Petals were only $6.99.

They're way more comfortable than the shoes I was doing my column in, plus they're a tad saucy.

And the wedgies aren't heavy. They're actually a dream to walk in. So much for the general rule that you can only find crappy shoes in the thrift stores.


I also found this silky Banana Republic tote with leather straps and bottom for $3.99.

It'll be perfect for carrying my lunch and other junk when I'm out doing a column.




Meanwhile this beat up retro suede clutch was $3.99, but I asked for a discount as the leather is coming away from the hardware on one end, and the gal gave it to me for $2.99





I bought it because it opens in a way you wouldn't expect. If I were a designer I'd use the idea.

Read More

Books & baubles

I love coffee table books but will never pay full price for them. Sometimes I find them used in thrift stores, but that's rare. More often than not they're in discount book places or second-hand book stores.

I discovered this Vanity Fair book containing the best photos and articles from the 1920s-30s, for only $16 when doing a shopping column in the Leaside Business Park in Toronto (on old industrial park - see my Twitter updates for all links to my shopping columns).

This book has something on everyone, from Isadora Duncan to Carl Sandburg to the Ziegfelds - pretty much every artist, actor, political thinker or author you could think of crammed into an era's worth of a book that's in great condition.

Sigh. Does it seem that we have less people like that in the world at the moment? Glamour like it exists in these pages doesn't seem to be a reality today - we're too busy de-glamourizing everything from celebrity life to TV programming.

These baubles have nothing to do with Vanity Fair or the 1920s and 30s, but they were all found at thrift shops for cheap and exude a certain amount of glam.

There are several clear crystal-like necklaces from the 1950s I found lately wound around a hanger as you see here, along with a multi-tier red necklace that was only a few dollars at Goodwill.

They look like glittery little candies hanging here, don't they?

Read More

Patio project, part 1

I'm a closet Shabby Chic-er, I discovered after a $22 dig at Goodwill yesterday, on my way home from doing a shopping column.

If you're a regular visitor to this blog you'll know the look in my pad is slightly funky - not very country or feminine.

But when I saw these faded blue pillows, $2.99 each, I was inspired to do something with my icky looking balcony and give it a Shabby Chic redo!

Shabby Chic was popularized by Rachel Ashwell http://www.shabbychic.com/ who has built an empire on white slip-covered furniture and contemporary country-esque decor. It's characterized also by pale faded blues and pinks and greens.

I threw the pillows on the chair I bought at the Sally Ann for $10.

I had the tablecloth already - I got the faded pink look by accidentally washing it with a red towel (very grunge queen of me) - and I bought two chunky green wine glasses during my Goodwill dig for $1.99 each - I asked for a better price as I could likely find them at the dollar store for a buck, but no go.

I had a glass of wine to celebrate the beginning of my patio project. I still have more to show you from my $22 patio project redo shop at Goodwill and will be posting more as the look evolves ....

More to come!

P.S. One day later: I'm re-posting the story of how I got the chair you see here for Frugalchick - it was found almost a year ago for $10 during a Sally Ann auction that was truly fun - the Salvation Army has even posted the article on its website! Just click on the link below:

How grunge queen got her $10 rattan chair at the Sally Ann

Read More

Good Goodwill haul

Ever heard of a thrift quick fix?

It had been, like, weeks since I thrifted and I was getting a definite ITCH.

But with a busy long weekend planned, I had little time to troll the shops. So on Saturday on my way home from errands, I popped into Goodwill. I gave myself half an hour.

For $20 I left with a happy haul o' goodies. On time, on budget.

I love tarnished silver - it has an old-world elegance and slight decrepitude that I find alluring. This urn was $2.99.




The bohemian look is still going strong in my decor books.

This pillow cover from India, pillow included, was only $2.99.

It's sitting on my "new" chair from the trash - see posts below.


Meanwhile this beautiful boho vase (wine holder?) made in Greece was $3.99. I love the colours and pattern.

I also picked up a long night gown for $2.99 and THE MOST STUNNING 1960s maxi dress with halter top and fitted bodice that fits me like a glove for $6.99.

Will have to get a pic of me wearing it as it's just a gem --- now I need someone to invite me to a red carpet event!

Read More

New dress vs thrift dress

Fashion alert, fashion alert - I need your help!

I was all ready to wear this sassy A.X.L (new) dress, found at ENDS in Toronto for $39 (regular $200), to a journalism awards event tomorrow night.

It's got sweet ruching in the front, slits up the inside of the sleeve, and a plunging neckline that I will fasten closed with a safety pin.

It looked totally sexy with my silver pointy shoes, silver retro purse (below) and thrift store chains wound around my neck.



Enter Goodwill today and a $6.99 TeenFlo Little Black Dress.

Dang.

It's short. (Shows off long legs).

It's sassy. (Goes with new raison-hued hair and short cut).

It's flattering. (Especially with new thong Spanx underneath).

AND it goes with my vintage red three-strand beads (Goodwill-ed today for $3.99) and REAL patent leather belt (99 cents at my thrift shop).

I could wear my red clutch with it too. (Below).

Reader, dear reader, I'm being swayed by my thrift outfit! Which would YOU recommend I wear?? Reply as soon as you can 'cos the event is Friday p.m.!

Read More

Lamp Week Begins!

Remember the pink phone some of you dissed (see Electronics and Thrift Stores post)? I returned it to the powers that be at Value Village, and here's what I walked away with ... two Chinese lamps, $30 each. May have been a bit above my price range but I am, dear reader, a lamp addict - there are 14 in my one-bedroom apartment and several more hidden away in closets. Lighting adds mood to any room, and you can change up the look often by switching the shades around (more to come on this topic this week).

These babies didn't come with shades, but the rectangular blue shade I had hanging around the house, picked up at Goodwill for just under $4, was the perfect size and colour.

I was originally thinking I would have trouble finding a mate - friends suggested custom lampshades (I hate those cheap store-bought pleated ones) - but the deal diva in me scoffed.

Then I checked out Consumers' Lighting on Dufferin St. in Toronto - and for $15 walked away with a dark blue shade, again in a shiny silky fabric, that was the same hue but a different shape from the other one. They sit on either end of my retro velvet Kroehler loveseat.

And why not? They don't have to be all matchy matchy so long as there's some commonality between them. Custom shades can cost upwards of $150 - these two shades combined were under $20.

And readers, it's not looking good for my pink chandelier. My best friend said it would stand out like - let me see if I have this right - a turd in a punch bowl? Please weigh in as I'll be deciding at the end of Lamp Week.

Read More