Brass scottish terrier letter opener.   Makes opening those post-holiday bills more fun!

*wince*

Price: $5 (reduced from $10)

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Hurrah for Polyvore for letting me show you a pretty close approximation of the following capsule!

My work-to-school capsule wardrobe made of 11 items + vintage jewelry + comfy flat boots and shoes!
Ground-breaking style?  Narp.  Comfy, easy to mix & match, easy to run for the bus in, easy to care for, easy to mix other pieces in?  YARP!

A.  Black v-neck long sleeve thin knit top, Mexx, Christmas gift

B.  Off-white cowl neck sweater, Jacob, on sale for $35 
C.  Black cotton-blend long sleeve blouse/ tunic, Tristan, on sale for $20

D.  Taupe and black crewneck longsleeve top, Jacob, on sale for $30
E.  Fitted vest, denim, liquidation floor at the Bay downtown, $12
F.  Cropped black knit top with assymetric neckline, Jacob, on sale for $25
G.  Vintage lace bolero, purchased from fellow blogger, $10
H.  Cream knit cowl neck vest, AE, $10.46

1. Tailored grey tweed shorts, RW&Co, on sale for $19.99
2. Skinny dark blue jeans, Foxy Jeans (best skinny fit for curvy girls EVER - I have the same pair in black and I wear 'em both to death), $55
3. Black mini, Denis Gagnon for Bedo,  $30, on sale

Footwear:  caramel flat boots and red ballet shoes, both from Ecco (great for wider feet)

Jewelry:  vintage 50s enameled necklace in cream and gold-tone (Ebay), vintage 40s rhinestone necklace (gift), turquoise drop earrings (xmas gift)

I'd love to know what your top ten (or eleven!) basics are!

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One easy way to get me to buy a magazine?  Slap any of the following on the cover:

1. "A month of outfits!"
2. "Shop your closet like an editor"
3. "10 piece 1 month wardrobe"
4. Salma Hayek or Christina Hendricks (just saying)

I spent about two hours avoiding ironing culling my closet last night to create a 10 piece capsule wardrobe that would take from work to school with ease.   Most of the items are black or grey, so I decided to inject some cream/ off-white items for layering, and will inject colour through vintage jewelry and fun accessories (the perfect scarf hunt begins!).   I scored this chalk-white knit vest this morning at American Eagle Outfitters on Ste-Catherine & Peel.   It was marked down from $69.50 to $14.99!  And since it had a red tag, there was an additional 30% off!  Total after taxes?  $11.80

Boo frikkin yah!

Also - here is my capsule wardrobe, per my scrawled drawing on the metro this morning:

EDIT:  Thanks to the wardrobe cull, at least 10 items from my closet have migrated down the hall to the Trove and are included in this Sunday afternoon's Trove sale!  There is one spot left, at 1pm, for anyone interested. :)

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***SOLD***

These two vintage brass bells graced our wedding tables, though I'm grateful that folks stuck to tapping their forks against their glasses.   If the impressive racket of these two bells going full bore had been added to the traditional "kiss" tinkling soundscape, it would have been rather unnerving!   The taller bell stands over 8", the smaller one (a ship's bell - with wooden handle) a shade under 6".   Beautiful as decor, and when gently rung, either one would make a sweet call to tea!

Price: $10 for the pair

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**SOLD***
The red irises really pop against the white background of these enamel drop earrings.  Vintage 80s, they measure a shade over 1" in length.  The bronze green stem, peacock blue leaf and pale orange iris centers are all quite lovely together.

Price: $10

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Lara of Lalouka Designs is a staunch supporter of the local vintage and handmade scene, and the scene is enriched by her skill and artless prettiness.   I've been peeking in on her Etsy shop regularly and had a lightning bolt moment when I came across this llama print scarf (it's reversible!):

Photo: Lalouka Designs

Letters almost launched from my keyboard in my haste to fire off the purchase request!  A few days later I was the proud owner of my first Lalouka creation!   Now, I'm shortish, so can't usually pull off over-sized prints but somehow this one works beautifully.   I wear it with a bright turquoise coat, and whenever I look down and see the llamas it makes me smile.

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****SOLD**** WWII Royal Air Force night vision binoculars with the original case.   The case and binoculars are both clearly marked with the 'AM' Air Ministry stamp and the reference number (6E-338).   The brown leather case is also marked with 'Binoculars for Night Use.'  The binoculars are marked with a crown as well.   The lenses are clear though they could use a little cleaning.


The materials are gorgeous, even with some wear and minor damage.  The binoculars are brass, with black crinkle-finish paint, which has worn off in spots to reveal the aged brass beneath.   The eyepieces are bakelite, and one of them is chipped, but this does not affect the optics.   The case is made of sturdy brown leather and is lined in blue velvet.

Rare & lovely - would make a nice item to display on a mantel (steampunk, anyone?) or on a window ledge.
Price: $40

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I'm headed back to school (part time) next week (!!!) and have decided to convert part of the current Trove room into a study space.    Time to clear more items out!

*** TROVE CLOTHING CLEARANCE ***
All clothing items are $10 each or 3 for $20!

Belts, bags & shoes: $5 each 

Sunday, January 2nd * Noon to 7pm

BY APPOINTMENT ONLY

Items include:
Dresses: mod salmon-pink Anna Sui shift, 1940s vintage black tea-length dress, 1980s secretary dresses, 1970s perforated suede dress, Moroccoan silk traditional dress in lavender and mauve

Tops & skirts: Mexx, Tristan, Jacob & dozens of vintage items, including two high-waisted '80s suede skirts!

Also: 

FIRST DIBS on newest selection of vintage jewelry!

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****SOLD**** You would have no problems fitting a family photo inside this large vintage locket!  The pendant is larger than a toonie, and yet, thanks to the filigree, it has a certain delicacy despite its size.

Price: $15



interior




detail - front



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****SOLD****
Whoah!  So Material Girl!   This 1960’s Sarah Coventry Maltese cross pendant is set with extremely clear and bright topaz and peridot rhinestones.   The textured gold-tone pendant is 2 ½" wide.   The long chain is vintage, but not original to the pendant. 

Price: $25

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****SOLD****
Beautiful vintage 70s mother of pearl and aurora borealis rhinestone necklace.  The necklace has 3 thick (1/8") carved mother pearl leaves with 2 aurora borealis bezel set rhinestones in each leaf.   Condition of the mother of pearl and the AB rhinestones is excellent.   Chain is an unusual wavy link.   The clasp has a tag on it marked "JAC".  Necklace is approx. 20" long - great for layering over winter knits!  Each leaf measures approx. 1" x 1".  There is wear to the gold-tone on the chain  mainly around the back near the clasp.
Price: $20

high gloss MOP and sparkly colourful rhinestones

textured back



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****SOLD**** Tiny  MKD silver filled heart locket.  Floral pattern and heart on the front.  Opens and closes a teensy bit wonkily but firmly.  Hardly any wear to the silver.  Chain is new but silver-plated.
Price: $20

heart within heart!



markings on the insdie



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front view

detail

****SOLD****Ever since I cut my hair (the post-wedding chop!) I've been having fun playing around with necklaces and earrings since they're no longer swamped by my locks.   I've been having particular success with shorter vintage necklaces (in the 16"-18" range) since they sit so jauntily on the collarbone and work well with casual crewnecks and blouses.   This pretty older necklace would add some vintage sass to some Breton stripes or a cozy merino wool knit, as well as your LBD.    Deco rhinestone necklace/choker which measures 16" (approx.).  All rhinestones are prong set.  Five larger  baguette rhinestones are surrounded by smaller sparkling beauties.   All rhinestones are present and otherwise in good condition.  

Price: $25

nice smooth back

hook fastener

Inspiration:  rhinestones and white lace and Miss Hepburn's swan-like neck!

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These teensy adorable lockets are gold-filled, and the clasps are nice and snug.  They do not come with chains.

See individual descriptions below the photo.
 

(click the photo for a much larger version to see the pretty details on each locket)

1. ****SOLD**** 1/2"x1/2" MKD 12K GF oval locket with floral etching. Some slight wear to the gold. Price: $20
2. ****SOLD**** 3/4"x3/4" Mother of Pearl front with faux diamond heart locket. MKD 12K GF, opens and closes well, with hardly any wear to the gold. Price: $25
3. ****SOLD**** 1/2" x 1/2" oval MKD V.D. GF. heart and floral engaved front. Great condition, opens and closes tightly, with very little wear to the gold. Price: $20
4. ****SOLD**** This last one is 1/2" in diameter, has etching on the outside rim. MKD CQ&R GF on the inside rim. Opens and closes nice and tight. Couple of tiny dings on the back. The initials CQ&R in a triangle shape are marked in the inside, standing for Carter, Qvarnstrom and Remington in business in Attleboro, Mass, from 1899 until at least 1930 when they are listed in History of Massachusett Industries, Their Inception, Growth and Success by Orra L. Stone (1930). Attleboro was the hub of the gold filled jewelry business in the 19th century. This pretty locket is in good condition. Price: $20
5. ****SOLD**** Green 1940s balekite bracelet with floral rectangular sections: $15

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Oh so pretty!

****SOLD**** I'm pleased to present this vintage necklace (aren't sparkly stocking stuffers the best?) for your perusal & potential approval!    It is unmarked, which is a pity, as someone should take credit for this prettiness.   The silver-tone chain and almost trefoil shaped settings create a perfect wintry complemement to the clear rhinestones.   The necklace measures 15" in length, and the leafy section is divided into three pieces for ease of movement.
Price: $25



Close-up.

 


Hook clasp.





Flipside view.

 

Inspiration:  wear rhinestones with casual tops!

Photo:  bicyclette.to

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Hello all,

As some of you are aware, I will be heading back to school (part time) in January while working full-time.  While I'm quite excited about the new challenge, I am also aware that I'm going to have to rethink the Trove as I won't have as much time to tend to the room of pretties.

The tentative plan:

• focus on smaller items: vintage jewelry & accessories, vintage housewares
• focus on vintage clothing only
• find out more about this whole Etsy thing
• add a hand-crafted jewelry & ornaments section using salvaged jewelry, fabrics and wallpaper

To that effect, I'll be reducing the amount of clothing I keep in stock and will begin with this:

Trove Clothing Clearout Sale

$10 each or 3 for $20
Saturday, Dec 18

11:30am to 5:00pm.   

****Please contact me to make an appointment.****

Choice goodies currently in the Trove include:

• silvery Mexx A-line skirt, knee-length, size 8
• vintage collarless black velvet jacket, perfect party coverup, S/M
• silk Tristan dress, pink and black print, vee-neck, satin sash, size 10
• black lace dress, short sleeve, with satin sash, size 10
• FCUK beige skirt, size 6-8
• Moschino Cheap & Chic black pencil skirt, size 2-4  
• Much more!  There are over 50 clothing items currently in the Trove and I want them to move move MOVE on out :)

  

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Standard coffee mug placed next to the cookie jar for size perspective.

 ****SOLD****
I don't know about you, but cookie jars shaped like animals used to freak me out when I was a wee kidlet.  It seemed wrong to decapitate a cute critter to get at my sugary baked treats, even if said decapitation were temporary.  I much preferred the cookie jars shaped like houses because tearing a roof off of a house to get to a cookie made MUCH more sense to me.

Ahem.

It's my pleasure to introduce this huge vintage 1950s (1958 to be precise) owl cookie jar for your viewing pleasure.   We've dubbed him The Academic, but a little research has reveled his name to be Collegiate Owl.  Made by the American Bisque Company, he stands a little under a foot tall.  That's a lot of cookies.  He's sporting a mortarboard, pale blue speccies, and a book with 'cookies' written across it. 


Price: $35  (sells elsewhere on-line for between $100 and $165)

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****SOLD**** Label: ISAAC by Isaac Mizrahi
Size: 7B
These black leather beauties, paired with opaque black tights, would make yer gams go on and on and ON.   The 3" slender heels call for cabs rather than public transport, but we all have occasion to spoil ourselves.   Love the sleek loafer details on the vamp.   The pointy toe silhouette (paired with a fuller skirt) is making a comeback for Spring/Summer 2011, why not try the look out early for a smidgen of the price of a new pair?
Price: $15

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