***SOLD*** Attention crafters! Two scrap/craft lots (watch faces and jewelry): $20 for all


***SOLD***
Do you have a creative itch that needs scratching?  Does it require sparkling items?  I have just the thing!  Two scrap/craft lots, one of watch faces, the other of jewelry.   Great for
steampunk pieces, as well as for bridal party jeweled bouquets, corsages and boutonnieres.   You can hot glue some of these onto a plain frame to create a truly stunning setting for a favourite photo!


Watch faces:  some of them appear to be working.   All have their geary innards so if you wanted to smash 'em open and have fun collaging the insides, by all means, do so!


Jewelry:  there are maybe 4 wearable pieces in the lot (including a small sterling silver iris pin, a Napier silver-tone necklace, a silver tone heart pendant and a large oval pendant), but the rest are missing pins, lots of stones, clasps and such, so is best suited for crafting/ collaging.


Price: $20 for both lots

Close up: watch faces
The faux pearl necklace needs a clasp, but is in fine condition otherwise. 
The two pendants up front are wearable (silver tone heart, oval rose)

Four vintage pave rhinestone buttons are in perfect condition.
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Supporting the relief efforts in Japan can be as easy as texting

From the Canadian Red Cross website:

"Canadians wishing to help support relief efforts underway are encouraged to contribute by:
  • Donating online
  • Calling 1-800-418-1111
  • By texting the word ASIA to 30333 to make a one-time donation of $5*
  • By contacting their local Red Cross office. Cheques should be made payable to the Canadian Red Cross, earmarked “Japan Earthquake/Asia-Pacific Tsunami” and mailed to the Canadian Red Cross National Office, 170 Metcalfe Street, Suite 300, Ottawa, Ontario, K2P 2P2.

* A one-time donation of $5 will be added to your mobile phone bill. Standard messaging rates and additional fees may apply to donation texts. All charges are billed by and payable to your mobile service provider. This service is available on most carriers. Donations are collected for the benefit of the Canadian Red Cross by the Mobile Giving Foundation and subject to the terms found at www.mobilegiving.ca. You can unsubscribe at any time by texting STOP to 30333."

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Spring Capsule Wardrobe: Curve Celebration

Am finding that putting together a capsule wardrobe for spring is tougher than one might expect.  Part of this is due to the fact that after a long winter of muddy greys and slushy whites,  I am starving for colour and florals so everything bright and frilly looks like an attractive option.   I've spent a few lunch hours giddily trying on many new shapes (stronger shoulders, wider trouser legs),  colours (cinnamon! saffron!  salmon! kelly green!),  and skirt lengths (swingy calf-length, snug calf-length, silky maxi). 

While it has been fun, I find myself gravitating towards the things I know will suit my short & curvy figure and my dark hair and eyes:  pencil skirts, nipped in waist lines and v-necks in red, navy and fuschia.

So I present one potential Spring 2011 capsule wardrobe for the Curvy Lady to you, and will be sharing others as whimsy and window-shopping permit!

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Thank you!

A big thank you to all of this afternoon's Trovers!   Not only were you all very accomodating about keeping quiet so that my newly spayed Betty-cat could nap,  together you helped me raise enough to cover this month's ortho payment.   Enjoy your new treasures!

A particular thank you goes out to Catherine-of-the-rockabilly-dress, who brought two delightful gal pals from out of town for an inaugural Trove raid!

Soon to glitter in the Trove:
  • white enameled hibiscus earrings
  • vintage pink cameo pendant necklace
  • vintage black cameo pendant necklace
  • 1970s navy & white wrap dress, with lily of the valley print
  • silk/cotton blend pale blue wrap blouse by J. Crew
  • black & metallic blue lace top, handmade
  • crisp white and black striped skirt, Talbots
  • handmade Indian cotton blouse in pale cinnamon
  • delicate cream cotton shift dress
  • retro Canadian pottery duo
  • large cylindrical glass demijohn
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***SOLD** Vintage 1960s Lisner gold-tone leaf bracelet: $20


Pale gold-tone vintage 1960s bracelet, signed Lisner.   Measuring 7" in length, and 1" in width, this leafy marvel has the same style impact as a cuff, without the visual heaviness or literal weight.
Price: $20


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*Bartered for a haircut!* Moonstone pendant necklace: $15


*SOLD*
Striking long moonstone pendant necklace in an oval silver plate setting.  The pendant is 2" in length and the chain is 18" long.
Price: $15

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***SOLD*** 1960s "Gold Crown" peacock necklace: $25

***SOLD***
There is bold and there is BOLD.   This 1960s peacock necklace is stamped Gold Crown,  the peacock is 3 1/2" in diameter, and the silver tone link chain is 22" long.   This necklace is in excellent condition, with no wear to the metal and no dull rhinestones.   A very similar design is available from
House of Harlow (Nicole Richie's jewelry line) for $75 - on sale!
Price: $25



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Denim search continues...

I popped into Levi's this week and asked to see what they had in a higher waist.   I was offered two options:  pale jeggings (nosirree) & a promising dark wash "Perfectly Slimming Straight Cut."   I wasn't sure what size I wore, so the salesgirl estimated that I'd be a 4.   I must have looked quite sceptical because she hastened to explain that this style had a lot of stretch.  

She was right, they were super comfy going on, and it felt great to have jeans that fastened at the level of my bellybutton but when I looked in the mirror all I could see were Thighs.   And the capitalization is intentional.

I may have to make the trek out to Jeans Jeans Jeans, I've heard so many rave reviews about the vast selection, decent prices and knowledgeable staff there...
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***SOLD*** Vintage mother of pearl pendant necklace: $20


***SOLD***
This vintage mother-of-pearl & silver-plate pendant looks like something straight out of 1001 Nights.   Scheherazade  might have dangled this over her king's face as she transitioned into another tale...
Price: $20

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*SOLD* River pearl ring, size 7: $15


*SOLD*
River pearl in a Balinese silver floral setting.

Size: 7
Price: $15
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***SOLD*** Sterling silver filigree estate ring with checkerboard peridot, size 6.75: $30

The stone is a little out of focus in this image - 3 ct checkerboard peridot.
This sterling silver & peridot ring was purchased at an estate sale and would add a splash of vibrant spring colour to your jewelry box.  The checkerboard peridot is 3ct and is set in a sterling silver band with open filigree throughout.
Size:  6.75
Price: $30 (comparable new rings sell for $70+ on-line)

top view - see how the stone catches the light?
side view - intricate sterling silver filigree
another view of the filigree

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***SOLD*** Vintage blue lucite dangle bracelet: $20

Click on photo for much larger image - the details are lovely.
 ***SOLD***
This unsigned bracelet is from the 1950s and is in impeccable condition.  The dangling gold-tone leaves enclose blue faceted lucite "buds."  The bracelet is 7 1/2" in length and suprisingly light.  This would make a very nice "something old" and "something blue" for any brides to be out there.   Or you can buy it for yourself, and then lend it to a bride...then it would also be "something borrowed!"
Price: $20
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***SOLD*** Ceramic utensil holder: $10


***SOLD***
A funny thing happened when I started school again.   I started cooking more often!    Two days a week I finish work at 5:45ish, and then helter-skelter myself up the hallowed hill of McGill for 6pm, so I don't have time to grab a bite.   Three hours of class is difficult to stomach when said stomach is growling acidly, so I've taken to prepping a week's worth of food on Sunday.   This has given me a new appreciation for a well-organized kitchen, and for having one's tools easily available. 

This vintage ceramic utensil holder stands about 6" tall, and is large enough to hold a dozen wooden spoons easily, and the wide base means that it's nice and sturdy and won't tip as you grab a spatula in your mad dash to the burning mess of stir frying veggies on your stovetop.

Price: $10

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And the earrings go to...

...Ms Maya of Flamehead Productions!

Her wishlist:

"a. Not really a spring item (let's say transitional winter-spring), but I've been looking for the perfect hunter green wool coat for about 3 years now.

b. Semi high-waist, light-weight dark denim jeans

c. Maxi chiffon/crinoline-like skirt

d. I'm totally with you on the low wedge sandal!"

The prize:  1 1/2" long amber earrings

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***SOLD*** Tricolour school satchel: $20


****SOLD**** Nifty early 90s satchel for a note of serious school style!  Three colours:  the main body is black, and the straps and detailing are forest green and burgundy.  I love the curved brass-tone buckles and the small crest on the front.  It does not come with a long strap, but if you want one, you can probably purchase one at a shoe-repair shop.   There are pockets galore, and the front section even zips aside to present a nifty array of sections for pens, calculator, reference cards, and more.  Exact measurements to come, but I have a 17" laptop that fits into one of the two main sections very easily.  I don't believe it's real leather (hence the price), but it is quite sturdy, and if I'm wrong, you could be landing a serious steal ;)
Price: $20

Crest & buckle - close up
A few markings on the back + zipper compartment
Three main section with two interior zippers + front section with many little organizing doohickeys.
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***SOLD*** Vintage Trifari white enameled laurel pendant necklace: $20


***SOLD***
This is a showstopper of a necklace, 1950s or 60s, signed Trifari.  The chain measures 22" in length, and the large laurel pendant is over 3" in diameter.   This would be a bold statement with your warm weather whites, creams, and tans.
Price: $20

close up of the pendant

detail - back

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***SOLD*** Sterling silver Om (Aum) pendant necklace: $15

***SOLD***
I really miss yoga, but school and orthodontics bit into my fitness budget so I've had to give up my class with the wonderful and patient Tara.   Luckily, the ortho payments will be done in a few months, so I'm hoping to start up again in the summer.  Yoga in the park = happy me!   I still do practice some of the breathing techniques she taught me, and every now and again a nice focused Om (Aum) as well.    This sterling silver Om pendant measures a little over 1 1/4" square and is presented with an 18" silver-plated chain.  It would make a nice gift for a yoga practitioner.
Price: $15

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***SOLD*** Sweet pointelle cardigan, 1970s, size S: $20

***SOLD***
Simply sweet vintage pointelle cardigan in a versatile vanilla colour.  I love the tiny buttons and scalloped details.  Perfect for layering over dresses, and makes for a fun contrast with edgier pieces (see tiger skirt, above!)

Size: S
Price: $20
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***SOLD*** Trio of Nescafe glass map mugs: $15


****SOLD****
These 8oz glass globe mugs were produced by Nescafe in the late 70s & early 80s and are in excellent condition.
Price: $15 for the trio
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***SOLD*** Silver-plated moonstone necklace: $20


***SOLD*** I love the way that milky stones refract light, and two of my favourite semi-precious stones are opals and moonstones.   This 18" silver-plated necklace features eight moonstone cabochons, measuring a little under 1/3 of an inch each.
Price: $20

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****SOLD**** Hyacinth-purple floral dress, H&M, size 4: $15


Slightly blurry shot of a very pretty frock.
***SOLD***
I'm very glad to see that longer skirt lengths are making their way back into readily available collections.   The tyrannical reign of the mini and/or the legging is coming to an end at long last!  Now if someone could just press a Giant Red Button and have pleather leggings just disappear, I'd be a happy camper.   All that to say:  yay for longer skirt and dress lengths!  This fitted beauty falls to just below the knee, had a wide vee-neckline, loose butterfly sleeves, a contrasting waistband, and all in hyacinth  hues!
Label: H&M
Size: 4
Price: $15

Comfy butterfly sleeve

profile

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***SOLD*** Kiss timer pendant necklace: $15


***SOLD*** This kiss timer pendant is either broken, or it hails from a very chaste time indeed.    The sand falls through  in under 3 seconds!  I say wear the pretty necklace (24" chain), and then enjoy ignoring it when the opportunity presents itself  :)
Price: $15

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***SOLD*** DKNYC scoopneck pistachio top, size S: $15

***SOLD***
This is the perfect Spring knit:  lightweight rayon blend, in a pale pistachio (the colour is richer in person).   The scoop neckline is quite low and would look quite pretty with a camisole peeking out.     Embroidered detailing at the neckline and shoulder add a layer of interest.

Price: $15 (retailed for over $75)
Low scoop neck

shoulder detail

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***SOLD*** Tall mid-century orange drip glaze lamp: $30


***SOLD*** At three feet in height and with a lustrous orange & textured chocolate drip glaze, this mid-century lamp (with original shade!) is an attention getter.   It would look very well on a small table at the end of a hallway, or on a bedside table as half of a mismatched tall pair of lamps.    
Price: $30


Drip glaze - close up

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***SOLD*** Gold-plated elephant pendant necklace: $15

***SOLD*** Vintage gold plated elephant charm necklace, 1960s.  Elephants with upturned trunks, are often thought to be a symbol of luck and friendship in many parts of the world.   The chain is about 26" long - great for layering!   The elephant charm is 1" from trunk to tail and is quite detailed, down to his little red eye!
Price: $15
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***SOLD*** Enameled vintage teardrop necklace: $25


****SOLD****
Gold-tone& gold-flecked aqua enameled teardrop necklace.  I am not absolutely certain as to when this necklace was made - very possibly late 60s given the hook closure, necklace length, and the fact that there was a huge revival of Egyptian style jewelry then.   The front section is 10 inches in length with a 5 inch chain on one end,  for a total length of 15 inches.  The front section is about 3/4 inch wide.  When I first looked at the teardrops, I thought that all of the enameling on them was spotted with tiny chips from wear, until I realized that I was looking at splatters of gold paint to give a bit of variation in the color.  Someone  told me that they thought it was from the art deco era, but I can't verify this.   I think this would be stunning with a strapless pale dress!  (*cough* wedding *cough*)

Signed: No
Condition:  very good
Price is $25.

close up

detail - back of necklace

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Sparkles and pancakes...

The jewelry section in the Trove will soon be stuffed to the glittery gills with over 60 large pendants, earrings, and rings showcasing semi-precious stones (coral, turquoise, agate, amber, moonstone and more!) in silver and silver-plated settings.  All items will be priced between $10 and $30 - easy to stock up for Spring!

I'd love to host a "sparkles & pancakes" brunch one Sunday later this month to introduce these beauties.

Please feel free to email me if you're interested - I'll post a few sneak peek photos soon :)

Hope you're all well and enjoying the recent sun!
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