New year, new look, new apartment?

I'm a poster child for change when it comes to the spaces in which I live.

Not two weeks after completing my full-on apartment re-do, I'm contemplating moving - to smaller digs!

I live in the equivalent of social purgatory now - apartment land, basically - and I long for life on the busy Toronto shopping strip where I used to live.

That's exactly where this apartment is.

It's just been renovated, and the deal breaker for me are these gorgeous windows with south-eastern exposure, overlooking a church across the street with shops and restos in sight to the left - ideal!

I have first dibs if I want ... and if the numbers in my cheque book (and the stars) align!

The big thing: I'd have to get rid of a ton of stuff as the space is about a full room smaller than what I'm in now.



As hard as it is to think of this, divesting myself of all my STUFF sounds appealing. A simpler life. Could I do it???

I would consider doing it if it meant the windows in this apartment, and the hipper location.


Any thoughts out there on moving into smaller digs or downsizing??

P.S. It would mean moving slightly away from my fave thrift shop - which could mean I'd accumulate less stuff to refill my new pad!

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St. Lawrence costume jewellery find

I rarely go to St. Lawrence market in Toronto, but yesterday I met an old university pal for brunch in the area, and ended up checking it out.

Natch, I looked for what is always my big weakness: costume jewellery.

This piece took the cake.

It fits high on the neck and the multiple chains fall on the side just as you see it here. There's even a double clasp to make the necklace more of a choker.

I tend to be drawn to 1970s stuff but I'm not sure I can place this era - any one out there want to hazard a guess?

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Cell Bella

I had intended to show you some thrift gifts and the thrift outfit that makes me look like an elf this week (will do next week), but I had to show you what I look like in my $9.99 designer dress found at VV (see previous posts from this week).

Cute isn't it? You can't really tell but I'm wearing it with a gorgeous pair of Kenneth Cole Reaction boots, also dug up at Value Village. The pearl multi-tier chain is also thrift.

The hair cut is new too, $25 from my local gal.



Why am I posing in front of a mall kiosk with a Blackberry, you ask? Because I finally caved and bought my first mobile device EVER yesterday.

The price was very Grunge Queen. The Blackberry Curve (not the latest one but that's ok) was free. I had to sign up for a 3-year contact but there are no hidden fees with Virgin Mobile. Plus they waived the set up fee, gave me 100 free minutes every month for 3 years, the first month free, and threw in a $75 Mastercard gift card! And if the phone isn't doing it for me I can return it within 30 days (with the gift card, of course). I went to the Yorkdale mall kiosk and manager Paulo was great.

Now that I'm mobile I may be able to give you GQ updates in real time!

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Blue silk dress for holiday tea, $9.99

I rarely thrift shop when I'm feeling down. It usually means I'm in search of something to make me feel better, and truth be told it more often than not results in a horrible experience. If your Karma is off, thrift shop Karma just doesn't, well engage.

So yesterday, a very grey icky day, with a seasonal flu and a dash of seasonal stress thrown in, I headed to Value Village on the way home. I hadn't done a VV dig in a long time. I was pleasantly surprised to see the Danforth and Woodbine location (and all other VVs in the city) had had a little refresh - new paint, new signs, new changeroom doors.

Lo and behold, my thrifting Karma kicked in in spite of my blue mood: the very first thing I picked out was a 100 percent silk blue dress by Lauren Moffatt http://www.laurenmoffatt.net/ ... for $9.99!

Moffatt is known for her vintage inspired looks, and this boho chic frock really revved me up ... and fit me perfectly. Mint condition! I was wondering what I would wear to tea at the Windsor Arms Hotel with my beau -- now I have my dress!





















By the way, Value Village was uncharacteristically deadsville last night. I was told biz dies after Halloween and doesn't pick up for the new year - a great opportunity for us deal divas! Speaking of deals I was surpised this dress was $9.99, as 'good' dresses at this VV location tend to be $14.99. I saw a gorgeous wrap dress by Toronto designer Marc Foreman of the 'Bionic' label - it was $9.99 as well, where the Bionic dress I bought several years ago at the same location was $14.99.

Just goes to show the pricing gods aren't consistent even at good 'ole VV. This experience has made me want to shop VV more than I have been in the last 6 mos.

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Shoes in Little India ... maybe for moi?

While doing a shopping column today in Toronto's Little India, I saw these pink and blue paisley brocade (?) shoes in the window of a shop that was closed. Most shops in the area don't open until noon, some even 4 p.m., I discovered.

Wah. I want these shoes. They're not the typical beaded Indian shoes that aren't my style (like the ones sitting below them in the window). I can see myself wearing them for a special holiday function. I wonder if they're my size? They look pretty big. Think I'll have to go back one night after work. I hear a lot of the shops on the Gerrard St. East near Coxwell strip are open until 9 or 10 every night.

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Blue star, super deal

If you live in Toronto and have always wanted one of these hanging Moroccan lamps, get thee to Broadview and Danforth Aves. today 'cos there's a screaming sale there.


Pealac Corp www.pealac.com is having a $20 sale on all furniture, lamps, wall hangings and accessories. Owner Nima is clearing out these goods so he specialize in Persian rugs.

This blue star lamp, which I could put put a tea light in or wire up, was originally $89.95 but I bagged it for $20. On Saturday there was a whole pile of clear lamps like this for the same price, though I betcha they're going fast.

I'm temped to go back and get more. Do you think I should attempt to wire this or just leave it as a pretty accessory?

The lamp just happens to match the antique Persion rug I bought at Nima's in February.

Pealac Corp., 815 Broadview Ave. just a couple steps north of the Broadview subway station.

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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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Family thrift

I'm back from a lovely vacation and it's nice to be the Grunge Queen again.

But who says I wasn't the Grunge Queen back home? My sis and her fam have become dedicated Value Village shoppers in the last few years (I'd like to think I've inspired them), so one day we ALL piled into the car and hit good 'ole VV.

You can find great designer jeans if you look through the racks carefully.

My sis found a pair of Parasuco's for under $10 there, which she is wearing in the above pic, and another member of the fam pictured here is wearing some Bongo jeans she found for super cheap.

I found a pair of Bongo SKINNY jeans (haven't worn skinnies since the 1980s - I won't be posting a pic just yet) with lovely detailing on the back pockets for $14.99.

And my sis found me the pair I'm wearing in these shots - a City of Angels (by Paige denim) pair of jeans from their Rock n' Roll collection - the button is shaped like a guitar pick and there are sooo many nice details. These jeans, if they still made them, would retail at $200 or so. My price? $14.99.

Did I mention they look brand new?

Wish I could take credit for this find but I gotta cede to my sis's supreme designer jean thrift radar. Thanks sis!

TIP: I get ALL my jeans at the thrift stores. Value Village is good but the jeans I find there are pricier, $14.99-$19.99 generally for makes like Parasuco, Guess? etc that are in good shape and in a current style. I tend to get the bulk of my jeans at the thrift shop around the corner from me, where they usually run from $4.99-$6.99.

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Indie greeting card for dumpster divers?

I love this card - in case you can't see the print it reads "Antiques Road Kill" under a bunch of junky second-hand relics riding in a car.

It's by Cara Scissoria cards out of LA and I found it on Danforth Ave. in Toronto in Drysdale and Co.

Natch it's published on recyled paper.

Owner Susan Drysdale has expanded her greeting card collection as a result of a nearby shop closing last year, and I must say I had trouble picking out a B-day card for a pal as there was so many funny cool ones to choose from.

I picked up this one for me. There's a fab collection of indie cards, jewellery, handbags and other accessories at Drysdale's shop.

Located at 107 Danforth Ave., just east of Broadview; 416-484-8592.

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Retro shades & hunky Aussies

What do you think of my movie star sunglasses?

I found them in an old hardware store on Danforth Ave. in Toronto for $3!

They're not new. The hardware store, Tracy's Hardware, has been around for 55 years. It does sell hardware but the window is full of second-hand treasures like brass Buddhas and 1960s Murano glass.

I couldn't resist these - purple too!

I wore them last night to the funkiest networking event I've ever been to, held at a drive-through storage facility in Toronto called All Canadian Self Storage and organized by Toronto area Business Network News. I paired them with a fab pink A.X.L. dress I found at ENDS in the Beach for $29!

Funnily enough I tried the exact same dress on a few months ago at the same place when it was $10 more, but left it there as I didn't think it looked good on me!

I also found this ring - new - for .50 cents at another end-of-the line place on the Danforth!

It looks so classy, doesn't it? I think it may be copper.

The lady said it's from Johnson's jewellery in New York but I'm still investigating. Looks like there may be a stamp inside.


I didn't get any pics of me in my amazing dress, but someone else did!

Here I am with some Aussie football players at the The Aussie X booth.

I think I may end up on a brochure somewhere!

Sunglasses, $3; dress that would normal retail at $200: $29; necklace for a couple bucks at a garage sale - that's $34 for this outfit not including the silver leather shoes, which were part of a buy one get the second pair FREE so they were really $50!

I call that a thrifty shopping goal - or is it a touchdown?

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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.

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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

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Which ring is thrift?

These are games I like playing when I shop.

It goes like this [in thrift store]: Cripes, I just paid $[insert price that's 6-10 x more than item; I'm just going throwing that figure out there and it could vary] for a [fill in the blank] just like that!

Or like this [in a regular store]: Hee hee, I just bought a [fill in the blank]just like that for 5 bucks at the Sally Ann.

Needless to say the feeling is always more euphoric when the latter has happened.

So can you tell which ring was thrifted and which was purchased regular price at the department store?

Both silver; both big cocktail rings; both light in hue.

I honestly don't know how you could.

So take a guess and post a comment and tell me what you think!

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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

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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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Jewellery junkie gets her fix

You know by now my penchant for retro bling.

On my way to do a shopping column yesterday I popped into my friendly neighborhood thrift shop - an absolute must if you want to bag the good stuff.

TIP: GO OFTEN.

Just as I was about to leave one of the employees who's sold me many baubles for a couple bucks or less mentioned a whack of jewellery had jusy come in.

REMEMBER: EMPLOYEES AND OWNERS OF STORES WILL REMEMBER YOU IF YOU GO AND BUY OFTEN - THEN AS THEY GET TO KNOW YOUR TASTES THEY'LL HAUL OUT OR PUT ASIDE STUFF FOR YOU IF THEY'RE REALLY NICE....

My spidy senses tingled.

Out came a plastic bag. I restrained, as she went through the bag.

TIP: DON"T BE GRABBY. WAIT FOR THEM TO PRESENT ITEMS TO YOU.

I ended up walking away with a three-tier a vintage glass bead necklace for $3 (TIP: DON'T ARGUE, ESPECIALLY IF YOU THINK YOU SHOULD PAY MORE)!!

And this totally tubular necklace, a cross between a Tribal and Industrial worm, was also $3. Though it's contemporary I thought it was pretty funky.

I also bagged a huge sterling cocktail ring with a pink stone for $2.

Thrift shops can be havens for both contemporary, retro and vintage jewellery - you just have to know what you like!

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Sparkly drawer pulls inspire

I've been obsessed with sparkly glass drawer pulls for a long time now - what better way to jazz up a beat up curbside find? - but haven't been willing to pay the $18 EACH I've been seeing them for in stores.

A troll in the Beaches the other day unearthed a new shop with a whole counter of pulls - for way less coin than I've ever seen them!

In Nesters (2207 Queen St. East, 416-698-2207) I found these blue acrylic pulls for less than $3 each! There are also glass and ceramic ones for good prices.

Needless to say I bought a wack to add a bit of bling to this dark dresser - you can see the difference here.

The old faux tortoise shell pulls are lovely, but don't really do much for this dresser, you'll agree.

I ended up buying two too many just for the heck of it - I have a lot of dressers - and just before beddie-bye last night discovered a cool alternative use for these drawer pulls.

Can you guess? Check out some of my older posts, where I switch up lampshades and lampshade hardware to create entirely new looks!










You guessed it: a lamp finial! Doesn't it look like a little jewel on the top of my lamp? I love the way it's all illuminated.

The purple shade helps - I tried the drawer pull on a lamp with an off-white shade and it doesn't look as special.

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Auction tonight!

Fellow Torontonians, if you're wondering what that contraption is on the floor under the painting in the pic shown here, and if the bargain hunter is looking for a fun experience, check out Mark Taaffe's new shop in the Junction, World Headquarters (2885 Dundas St. West, 416-333-8078).

Tonight the long-time auctioneer is having his first auction in his new space, starting at 6:30 p.m. Monday June 8.

Bring cash. You're guaranteed to find some really neat stuff.

Check out my recent article below....



Salvaging Good Style

Kelly Gadzala
Town Crier Bloor West

You should know by now my penchant for anything used, worn and slightly junky in the home décor department. The majority of my apartment furniture is a collection of forgotten curbside relics.

The Dundas West strip in the Junction is therefore happy land for me, a place strewn with salvage shops and even a few new furniture stores.

To read more click Here

And I will tell you what that contraption is: it's a manmade bee's nest used to contain wild bees. It even smells of honey inside! Just an example of some of the truly cool stuff you can find at Mark's shop.

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Thrift outfit, low end

I rarely get pics of me in my thrifted outfit showing you how to put it all together, so when I was doing a shopping column yesterday with stylist Afiya Francisco www.thestylehouse.ca I asked her to snap a pic of me by the green bins - appropriate for the grunge queen, no?

The majority of my outfit here is thrifted from my friendly neighborhood thrift store, Stretch Thrift on Pape Ave. in Toronto.

The jeans, long and lean and flattering, were $5.99. Pointy Italian boots: $9.99.

The scarf and bag I already owned and had purchased new.

Now for the jacket and the top - I broke some of my thrift shopping rules here, you should know.

The white cotton ribbed jacket is H&M ($6.99 if memory serves) and the silk floral swing top, $3.99, is Joe Fresh.





Normally I don't buy what I consider to be trendy fast fashion pieces at thrift shops. I find them over-priced because they are mass market and people recognize the labels, so stores generally tend to price them at maybe half of their regular retail price - not worth it in my books.

But I broke my rule here as the price was right, plus the blazer looked of a good quality - I wear it tight and fitted and it's perfect for the really chilly weather we've been having.

Plus when you're just lollygagging about I don't think you need to wear high, high end thrift pieces. If pieces like these fit into your life and look fab on you, go for it.

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Reunion outfit was second-hand!

So after obsessing about my highschool homecoming outfit for months and purchasing SEVERAL dresses, grunge queen ended up wearing a largely second-hand outfit to the first night of her big reunion....

Go figure.

It worked out pretty well. The jeans were thrifted at Stretch Thrift a few weeks ago for a mere $5.99 and they're now my fave summer jeans.

The top was given to me that day, a castoff from my very well-dressed best pal Di. Under it I wore a bodysuit I bought at Costa Blanca (column coming soon on that shop).

The necklace you may recall from my garage sale dig a few weeks ago, and the square gold-tone 1970s hoops were dug up at a thrift shop for a couple bucks.

The purse and shoes were bought new months ago.

My sis (the one that looks like me) has followed the thrifting bug too: she bought the Mexx pants she was wearing at Stretch Thrift as well for a few dollars. Her top and jacket? Let's just say Di-Di came to the rescue again, this time with a loaner.

God bless best pals for their great wardrobes.

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