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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Lavishy lavishes vintage sparkle

Yesterday I visited one of my fave jewellery stores in TO, Lavishy, which has just opened a second location at Yonge and Eglinton.

Owner Leo designs and sells mostly new jewellery, but lately he's been picking up vintage pieces at New York flea markets and the like on his travels. Not only that, he and his talented staff use vintage pieces to display their lovely wares. I just love the way these floral enamel pins sparkle in this old silver candy dish.

Here, retro clip earrings and a vintage bracelet repose on a pretty vintage plate.










Nearby, a teacup and saucer, a pretty plate and a tiny retro dish hold pretty baubles.

I really respect and admire retailers who think this way, who produce new items but who revere and incorporate the past into their work.

How about this?

This necklace is new (and only about $30; Lavishy's prices rock). The vintage-inspired baubles on it like the keys and the cameo are just darling aren't they?

Lavishy is located at 2525 Yonge St. or in the Junction (west Toronto) at 3095 Dundas St. West, main phone is 416-767-7472 www.lavishy.biz

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Matt and Nat bag a la Sally Ann

The cooler weather has arrived this morning, and it's time to change my sassy yellow bag that I bought on sale last month and have been wearing ever since.

(I wore it last night to a cocktail party and several eyebrows were raised by my colour combination. I thought it was quite jazzy).


This can be one of my fall bags - a Matt and Nat red bag picked up at the Sally Ann for - wait for it - $4.99!

It still had the tissue inside!

I've always wanted a handbag by Matt and Nat but could never afford one - they run at a few hundred bucks.

The company is known for its vegan handbags and socially responsible ethic.

Come to think of it I have red Mary Jane shoes that'll match it!

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Movie star looks a la thrift

Dah-ling.

Ever since finding my $3 retro purple sunglasses
I've been slightly obsessed with ... you guessd it, large purple retro shades!

These purply pink retro shades called "Comet by Newtrend" were only 99 cents at my local thrift shop.

The person who wore them had a small head as the arms have been bent super short. But my optician can heat them and adjust them to fit me - remember that when you're scouting for retro shades!

I found another goodie yesterday while doing a shopping column in North Toronto. In one of my fave consignment shops, Around the Block I found this wonderful piece of costume jewellery for $10.

As you'll see with my other thrift jewellery posts, costume necklaces with multi-tiers are a particular obsession of mine. Pearls and chains are classy yet can be funked up, and they can solve various style woes.

I'm wearing them here with a jersey wrap-inspired dress by Bionic Woman by Toronto designer Mark Foreman, which has a long V-neck that shows my scar and makes me look even more flat-chested than I am.

A tangle of pearls and chains like this remedies those problems and makes me look like a rich beetch to boot.

Tip: always look for costume jewellery with some weight. It tends to look more classy and substantial. I can always tell it's retro by looking at the clasp, which always has cool and very ancient looking hardware.

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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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