What in the world is it?

I love it when readers comment, send questions and otherwise interact with the Grunge Queen! Today I have a couple reader-related posts, both to do with silver!

The photos and the text below are courtesy of River-Rose, who has a wonderful "What in the world is it?" question re: a thrift find that I'm throwing out to all you savvy thrifters there!
Here it is:

Dear Grunge Queen,

I found this pretty piece at the local thrift store. It seems old and I just love the Acorn insignia at the top. "From small seeds do big trees grow", came to mind and thought it would make an interesting and lovely birthday present to my mother. My only question is- what in the world is it?

It has a wonderful design and separates in the center. The lower half has 4 oval openings.

The mystery deepens as I cannot find a similar image on the Internet. I have also taken the object to my county's museum and at the time they did not have a similar item, but guessed that is was, perhaps made in the 1920's and resembled an incense burner. There are no burn marks on the interior.

It was also taken to an antique shop and although the owner wasn't in at the time, a young employee guessed it is an ornate toothbrush holder. Finding this piece has been a fun experience! If anyone out there has any guesses, please let me know.

What a beautiful piece, River-Rose! I'm going with incense burner, but like your Mom I would use it as a pretty decoration.

Please post your response here if you want to guess what it is; you can also email River-Rose at snakeriver.rose@gmail.com.

Speaking of silver, my gal pal Sarah over at East End Pioneer dedicated yesterday's post to Grunge Queen, showing off her fab silver Value Village score and thanking yours truly for inspiring her in the thrift decor department!

Right on, Sarah, I love the silver and I love that Value Village too! Please check out Sarah's blog as she celebrates all the wonderful things in the community just east of Greektown - my 'hood too!

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Thanks for reading!

I just gotta say, it makes my day when readers comment, email me, become official followers and otherwise get in touch and let me know they like this blog!

I received an email yesterday from a reader who lives in Utah and just discovered my blog. The person wrote that the blog has heart and great style.

He or she could not have made me happier. It's such a happy feeling to know that what I write and picture here - my life, essentially - interests and resonates with people.

And since this person had not made a comment or become a follower, I would never have known he or she was a reader unless I got that email.

So, fellow grungers, thank you for reading. If you'd like to participate please leave a comment or become a follower, or if you'd prefer to be a silent reader you can always email me at grungequeen.yahoo.com if you'd like to comment on any post or ask a question - though remember that you can remain anonymous if you leave a comment or become a follower.

Have a great day!

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By special request

Thanks to Cath, grunge queen reader, pal and colleague at The Town Crier group of newspapers www.mytowncrier.ca

who graciously took this photo of me at work today sporting my totally-tubular snake-like necklace with Tribal influence and crossed with a semi-Industrial look that I thrifted for $3 yesterday! (see post below).

Fashion and jewellery pieces always look better on, agreed.

Normally I wear necklaces long but today I decided to wind it twice around my throat - much as some lethal constrictor snake would - so it goes with my outfit.

I'm posing in front of my editor-in-chief's new painting in his newly painted office! Thanks Eric!

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Lean Jeans

A friend visiting grunge-queen last night asked me where to find good jeans on the cheap. Value Village, I'd have to say, is where I get 90 percent of my denim (the other 10 percent at charity thrift shops - the ones you see here were $7.99 at Sally Ann).

Thrift shops are fine for denim, but as a for-profit enterprise (owned by Savers in the States) it's VV's business to ensure there's the breadth of selection and sizing available in stores - meaning you're bound to find a lean jean steal.

VV prices are higher, but you can get a decent pair of jeans for $7.99-$9.99, and the prices will go up from there based on quality, label and perceived value, and stylishness (and location as prices vary between stores). My best finds include a pair of Bongo jeans for $19.99 (that look so good on I've worn them three weeks straight - and they rock with my new booties, below) and a pair of Guess jeans for $24.99 - both brand new.

PHOTO CREDIT: Francis Crescia, Town Crier

TIPS:
1). Even if they're a screaming deal, they have to look fabulous on and you have to be able to sit in them without hurting yourself.

2). You can find cool current styles without resorting to high-waisted straight legs from the 1980s. I go for the low riser jeans with a flare as they're hip without being uber trendy (I avoid teeny teen jeans at all costs). Look for decent jean labels like Guess, Mavi, Bongo, Vibe, Buffalo etc.

3). I'm pretty picky about labels and pricing. I tend not to buy mid-market jeans that I can get new for relatively cheap (the Gap, Old Navy, etc). The pricing Gods at VV can sometimes price these items higher than what I want to pay because they know that a certain label has a certain cache.

4). Last time I donated at VV I got a 20 percent off coupon - save these for pricier purchases like denim. I betcha you can still pick up a 2009 VV calendar for $2.99 - in it there's a coupon for every month with a different percentage off. Don't knock it, coupons rock in these recessionary times!

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