I've started making my holiday lists, in order to avoid the stress of overspending on last minute gifts - which definitely was a factor in my last two Christmas seasons. I'm planning on doing a lot of baking, ornament-making, and book purchasing. Gently used hardcover books make lovely gifts, especially for children, and luckily for those of us on snug budgets, the Discerning Magpie has a fun sister shop, just for kidlets! Her book selection is wonderful, please do explore.
On a separate note: I'm thrilled by the number of people interested in our "Tea & Trove" event! A very kind lady and her handsome hubby have graciously offered the use of their beautiful loft in Old Montreal for the afternoon/early evening of Sunday, November 20th. Over 300 items of vintage and costume jewelry will be available, and my dear Sohrab has agreed to serve our personal tea blend, as well as treats! More to come!
I've decided to not buy any new clothing for the month of November, but that doesn't mean I can't use Polyvore as an inspiration board & planning tool!
The set above is a mix & match wardrobe that could work well for fall/early winter. Montreal weather being the fickle lady that she is, one must also be prepared for sudden temperature drops, in which case adding a nice thick pair of tights, a wooly scarf, and a light wool coat to the mix is always a good idea. I'd like to add more colour to what I wear this winter. Like so many others, I tend to fall into a safe zone of grey, navy, black, and cream, but I try to add a bright coat and vintage accessories. It's time to inject pops of red, camel, and golden yellow, methinks. Perhaps a thrift store will reveal a long red skirt to me! (I am allowing myself one thrift store clothing purchase a week.)
When I'm putting together an inspiration board, I'm not aiming to purchase the items exactly as pictured (twould be prohibitively expensive!). I like to look for silhouettes, colours, and prints that would suit my short & curvy/ dark-haired/ glasses-wearing self, and then inject one item I'm a little uncertain of, but attracted to nonetheless - in the case above it's the golden silk blouse. I make sure that each of the tops can be worn with each of the bottoms, that the shoes are appropriate for dashing down metro stairs, and that the jewelry can be layered with items I already own. It's also important for me to include items that just make sense for my life : 9-5 office cubicle gal, with frequent dashes to meet Trovers, weekend brunches, coffee catch-ups with friends, nice long walks, and yep, estate/garage/church/charity sale treasure-hunting!
Perfectly mismatched vintage 60s/70s mugs, stoneware, made in Japan. The olive green and ink blue ones on the left are 4" tall and 3" in diameter at their widest point. The sunflower one on the right is slightly shorter, but adds to the stack quite well.
Price: $10
*SOLD* Classic 80s wrap dress with over-sized faux pearl buttons at the waist, as well as a hidden hook and snap on the inside to keep the dress firmly in place. The top is beautifully blousy, and the skirt is a draped pencil style falling to just above the knee. The cream/tan and black damask-inspired print is flattering for a wide range of skin tones. This would look very well with a belted cardigan, or a snappy blazer in a fun colour.
Label: Petites for Maggy
Size: the tag says 10, but it is a petite size and seems more like an 8 to me. The top is blousy, the waist has an elastic panel in the back and would fit a 28"-29.5" waistline, and the hips measure 38."
Monastiraki is one of my favourite places to go in the Mile End/Plateau area on a weekend afternoon. Part gallery, part antiques & collectible shop and ALL sorts of eye-candy fun, this nifty space on St-Laurent south of St-Viateur can easily eat up an hour of one's time.
There are numerous industrial printer's and drafter's drawers in the shop, and each is filled with a heady explosion of colourful and sometimes discomfiting (mostly) local artwork. I am regretting walking away from a lovely ampersand by Kirsten McCrea, a week or so ago. I've been staring at the spot in the hallway where it would add just the right note of grace and whimsy and...darn it... guess I'll have to head back soon!
Monastiraki is also a hub for micro-concerts, book launches, and dazzling window displays by guest artists. There is a section of the shop set aside for a wealth of zines, a green-lit recess for books, and OH the drawers! Once you start searching inside them, it's really only a matter of time before you find yourself cradling a piece of affordable artwork that just appeals to you.
Support local artists, independent publishers, the hunt for treasure, and an unpretentious creative space! Drop in :)
Monastiraki
5478 St-Laurent
Psst - if all that pokin' about makes yer tummy rumble, head next door to Le Cagibi for a hearty vegetarian treat and some quite tasty coffee.
*SOLD*This vintage bag never failed to garner compliments from strangers when I took it for a whirl. The colourful printed canvas, the cognac leather accents, and the "doctor's bag" wide opening make a striking combination.
Exact measurements to be posted soon - though I was able to fit my netbook, lunch, paperback & small umbrella in it with ease.
*SOLD* It is my tremendous pleasure to present this show-stopper of a vintage bracelet! Gold-plated filigree, with six iridescent mother of pearl panels, five of which are resplendent with filigree and faux pearl beads. This 8" long beauty also has a floral accented clasp as well as a safety chain.
*SOLD* Four vintage flower frogs, used to for floral arrangements, you would place these at the bottom of a vase and insert your stems just so. These range in size from 2" to 6" in diameter. The pale green ones are heavy coated metal and are by the Vogue company of California. The glass one in the foreground makes a nifty desktop organizer (keeping your pens and such in order), and the wire one in the back is expandable to fit your wider vases. Price: $20 for all four
*SOLD* Gorgeous and functional vintage 1930s 'portable' typewriter, in it's original wooden box! Made by Royal Typewriter Company, which is famous for being the typewriter company of choice for both Hemingway and Ian Fleming. Price: $60
Inspiration: vintage typewriter used as special event decor!
As I write this, our dearest Betty-cat is at the vet's, having a blood transfusion, as she has become severely anemic. She has defied the odds for months since her initial diagnosis as FeLV+, and then with a chest tumour; our vet is completely baffled by her, calling her "The Enigma."
Betty-cat last night - very quietly playing.
The transfusion has a very good chance of improving her quality of life, however this procedure is much more expensive than we'd expected, and so I'll be posting some very special items on the Trove today in an effort to help defray the cost. (PayPal and email payment accepted.)
Some of the items to be posted today:
Vintage mother of pearl statement bracelet on a gold-tone filigree setting: $40*SOLD*
Set of four vintage flower frogs, one glass, two pale green metal, one expanding wire cage: $20
Small navy vintage Fendi purse: $40
1930s Royal typewriter, made in Canada: $60 *SOLD*
Vintage printed canvas satchel, with leather accents and straps, opens like a doctor's bag: $40
"Brooches for Betty": any 3 for $20
(click for much larger & more detailed image)
Thanks to everyone who has sent kind thoughts over the last little while. So many of you have touching stories to share, and I'm grateful for the empathy. Our Betty's a heckuva fighter, and we'd like to give her as much quality time as we can.
If you'd like to make a small donation to the Betty-cat Health Fund, please feel free to do so via PayPal (see below). I will gladly present you with $5 in Trove credit for every $10 donation.
*SOLD* Fitted black autumn-weight blazer by WD-NY, with playful details and a sleek leopard print lining. The sleeves are a little short - show off your cuffs and your mad layering skills!
Size: 7/8
Price: $15
*SOLD* These two cast iron trivets are beautiful enough to hang as art in your kitchen, and are also quite handy when you need to put down a hot pan or bowl. They measure no more than 7 1/2" long, so I would recommend them for use under smaller items - they'd be perfect under a pot of tea!
Price: $20$15 for the pair
*SOLD* Intricate 1" long sterling silver pendant sparkling with marcasite stones, on a delicate 20" silver chain. The pendant is signed Van Dell. Both are in very good vintage condition with no stones missing from the pendant. Price: $40
*SOLD* Sweet trio of vintage gold-tone brooches up for grabs! The two leafy ones look very well on either side of the oval brooch with the amber-coloured cabochon. They range in size from 1 3/4" to 3" and can be worn separately or as a charming group. Autumn brides could incorporate these into bouquet decor, or bridesmaids' sashes as well. Price: $15 for the trio
*SOLD* Very pretty vintage pressed glass Jeannette punch bowl with 14 matching small glasses. All have a grape, apple and pear pattern. The bowl is 10" in diameter at the opening, 6 1/4" in height and 11" at its widest point. This would make an outstanding and eye-catching way to serve hot cider punch at your next shindig! Mmm: cider, cinnamon, nutmeg, mint and slices of orange...
*SOLD*If you have both limited counter space and a love of 1970s retro kitchen style, this may be just the thing for you! Stacking wood storage boxes, quite clean, with nifty 'coffee bean' lid detail. Price: $30$20 for the set
*SOLD* Label: BCBG Size: Small Soft and subtly sensual (the neckline tends to slide to one side to show off a little shoulder!) wool-blend Fair Isle sweater - covers yer bum and glows with classic winter hues. Price: $40 (retailed for over $180)
