Daily Driver

I have been obsessed with the idea of a owning a vintage car of late. I wish, wish, wish it was in our budget to purchase one right now.

Something like this beauty is quite literally my dream car. Seeing one of these on the street makes me squeal out loud and sets my heart racing.

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Now, obviously, you can't drive a car like this every day. It's a casual cruiser.

Recently though, I found a car with almost as much style that I could drive every day: a Nissan Figaro.

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I think I'm in love. The Figaro was released in Japan by Nissan in 1989. Doesn't look like a late 80's car does it? It's got serious vintage style..

Lisa.xo

Impulse Purchase...

I found out a week and a half ago that I'm able to make purchases through my Etsy account app on my iPhone...dangerous!!

I was sitting in the park at the St. Norbert Ruins during the show waiting to call a cue and checking my blog reader when the latest shop update from Dear Golden came through.

Well, this beauty called out to me, was in my size and with barely any hesitation I bought it on the spot. It was truly meant to be considering the blog post was called "Much Ado" and I am working on a Shakespeare production...I was working on the show at the time of purchase...I mean really...how can you say no to logic like that?! Well I can't...  ;)

It arrived last week and the pattern is more lovely in person that it is in the images. The dress arrived in immaculate condition: clean,  pressed and exactly as described in the listing. I was so happy!

I am totally smitten with my purchase! You'll have to wait for the final reveal..she's off at my tailor getting some minor adjustments so she fits me better.
This may be my new favourite summer dress!

Lisa.xo

Inspiration: Vintage Style Summer

Found this pic surfing Pintrest.

I love everything about it: the palm trees, the fan, the vintage styled ladies.
It makes me wish we were in the midst of a summer heatwave. You know the kind...hot, sun baked days followed by hot summer nights.

source via Pintrest

Unfortunately, spring is clinging desperately here this year... I'll just have to keep waiting patiently for summer to arrive.

Lisa.xo

SIR presents Julius Caesar

If you live in the Winnipeg area I would highly recommend coming out to Trappist Monastery Provincial Heritage Park (aka the St Norbert Ruins) and checking out Shakespeare in the Ruins 20th anniversary presentation of Julius Caesar.

“Cry 'havoc,' and let slip the dogs of war”

-      Mark Antony

“Just watch me…”

-      Pierre Elliot Trudeau

In 1970, Quebec’s Minister of Labour, Pierre LaPorte, was murdered by the Front de Liberation du Quebec, a separatist group who wanted to end “Anglo-Saxon imperialism”. This brought about the invoking of the War Measures Act by Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau (the Caesar of his day), in which our government suspended civil liberties and arrested over 400 individuals suspected of having ties to the radical organization.

Set  in Canada during the time of the FLQ “Black October” Crisis, SIR's first production of Julius Caesar will illuminate the truth that Shakespeare realized over 400 years ago: that we are all capable of transgressing our moral code and of committing acts we would otherwise view as abhorrent, in the name of "liberty".

Celebrate our 20th Anniversary with us as we present a dynamic, immersive, accessible, one-of-a-kind, outdoor, promenade performance (whew!) of Shakespeare's magnificent and timeless examination of loyalty, ambition and political conspiracy amid the incomparable setting of the Ruins!

-borrowed from SIR's website

And check out our preview article in the Free Press!

For show dates and times, or to purchase tickets: click here!

See you at the Ruins!

Lisa.xo

Winnipeg Vintage Reviewed: The Foundre

The Foundre 1326 Portage Ave
Facebook 
204-505-1326

Inside The Foundre

***1/2 out of 5

The Foundre is a tiny little store front on Portage Avenue just east of Polo Park. If you blink, you'll miss it. The inside of this little shop is packed to the ceiling with vintage and antique treasures of all kinds. Foundre is not just a clothing store, it also carries vintage and antique housewares, tchotchkes, textiles and sometimes furniture. 

I happened upon this funny little shop driving home one of the performers who I worked with earlier this year. Upon entering, I knew I'd found a gem. Foundre is the stuff that vintage stores are made of: a vintage cornicopial feast for the eyes. I didn't know what to look at first and I must admit, I was a bit overwhelmed - I didn't know such a small space could hold so much stuff!

I had only taken about three steps into the shop (which for reference, took me about halfway into the store) and I met Candace - the owner. She's a lovely, friendly woman with her ear to the pulse of the vintage scene in Winnipeg. I spent the majority of my first visit chatting with her about Winnipeg, other shops and owners in town and life. 

After our chat I finished my tour of the shop - eyeballing some lovely things I was wanting to take home, but decided (on the rare occasion) to restrain myself. I've been back several times since and purchased a few things - all of which I am thrilled with. They were clean, pressed and in excellent condition. 

One of the neatest items in the shop is the turn of the century Louis Vuitton suitcase  (see picture on the right above)! I've never seen one in person before! It is available for rent for photoshoots or could be yours for the mere price of $1000! Needless to say, I drooled a bit, took a picture and left it in the store...

The shop is well lit and clean. The prices are not rock bottom, nor are they so high one might never think of purchasing something there - items in the store are happily mid range. 

The only possible downside I could see to this shop is that with such a small space it is easy to walk away empty handed - due only to the fact that there can only be so much stock on the floor at one time. 

That being said, Candace is constantly taking in consignment and new product, so frequent visits are a must! And the word about this shop seems to be spreading! It seems to me that the good stuff goes quickly. 

Diminutive size aside, The Foundre is a good old fashioned vintage shop: no smoke and mirrors to distract from the amazing vintage product. Everything is carefully arranged to the ceiling and waiting to be discovered. This is the stuff vintage dreams (and good stories!) are made of. 

Check out all of my Winnipeg Vintage Reviews here!

Lisa.xo

Outfits: Everyday

I'm on a roll! Third outfit post in a week! Whoop whoop! Lol!

I wore this yesterday to run errands with The Boy. Some version of this has been my casual go-to for weeks now.

I've been really influenced by rockabilly styles as of late - which I think is pretty evident in this look. For me, it's just the perfect mix of tough and feminine.

I bought this bag on a whim last week. I was out doing errands for the show I'm working on and found it at Winners. It's Italian leather and I love the colour!! My new laptop fits in it (I just bought a 13" MacBook Pro recently)! 

I'm usually a big sucker for a vintage bag, but there is something about this beauty that screamed "Take me home with you!!!" I was powerless against it's....uh...powers. 

Vintage Style Sunglasses: Rhymes with Orange

Denim Jacket: Randy River

Green Leather Purse: Claudia Firenze, Winners

Bangles: Thrifted

Black and White Striped Tee: Joe Fresh

Grey Skinny Jeans: Forever 21

Black Skinny Belt: George

Black and White Flats: Joe Fresh

Lisa.xo

Wishlist: Vintage Umbrella

It's raining cats and dogs in Winnipeg today...in fact, it was yesterday too...and Tuesday for that matter...we're a little water-logged here.

I'm not one to be wandering around in the rain without an umbrella - gotta keep my hair dry or it gets out of control!! The umbrella I own is cute enough: modern, collapsable with a small black and white houndstooth print on it. Works just fine.

Since we've been struck with a deluge this week, however, I've turned my sights on prettier, vintage umbrellas on Etsy. Most of these parasols and umbrellas are probably better used to shade from the sun, but isn't it a romantic idea to use a vintage umbrella in the rain? I think so.

Buy it here!

Buy it here!

Buy it here!

Buy it here!

Lisa.xo

Outfits: Back to Normal...

Life seems to be returning back to normal...after months of working incredibly hard and sometimes around the clock.

The show I'm working in for Shakespeare in the Ruins started school matinees yesterday - which for me, means shorter working days...and evenings free!

Last night The Boy and I went out for dinner with friends of ours. It was so lovely! It felt so normal!! lol!

Dressing up was in order...of course. I put on my favourite dress. :)

You may also notice that I am suddenly sporting bangs...I cut my hair hours after taking the photos from my last outfit post...it might have been a bit of an impulse decision...one I am not regretting...

Hair Flower: Claire's

Vintage Dress: Ragtime (in Ottawa)

Coral Bracelet: Forever 21

Patent Turquoise and Cork Peep Toe Wedges: Le Chateau

Bamboo Birdcage Purse: Thrifted, Value Village

Lisa.xo 

Outfits: Start with the Purse

I have a serious crush on this purse. It was a gift from the costume designer on Angels in America: Perestroika and she could not have done any better. I squealed with glee when I opened it. 

This is how good she is; without knowing it she bought me a purse which combines two of my favourite sartorial fetishes: wicker summer purses and nautical. So today's outfit started with the purse. 

Working so much has got me rocking pants a lot these days. Spring in Winnipeg has come late and summer isn't quite here yet, so I haven't had a chance to wear any of my summer dresses yet. :(

You also might notice how straight my hair is compared to how I normally wear it. I finally got around to buying a Chi flat iron and have been enjoying this different look for the last week. Straightening my hair makes it look soooo long!! :) 

Vintage Wooden Parrot Necklace: Vintage Glory

Red and White Striped Tee: Gap, Thrifted

Braided White Leather Belt: Thrifted

Navy Trousers: Jacob

Red Espadrilles: George

Vintage Nautical Purse: Gift from Mo

Lisa.xo

Nope, Not Dead...

Hey! Long time no talk!

I took an unexpected blog break due to work. I've been incredibly busy since I got home from The Munsch Tour.
For those of you who may remember, last year I worked on Angels in America: Millennium Approaches by Tony Kushner for Winnipeg Jewish Theatre. Well I just finished working on the second part of that show: Angels in America: Perestroika. 

The cast and crew all returned to turn out the second part of this incredible duo of plays. I was the head stage manager this time around and it was a HUGE show: 9 actors - over 20 characters, 40-50 scenes - ranging from a hospital to heaven and over 2000 technical cues - 400 of which I called during the show (for example: "Standby Lighting Cue 1, Sound Cue 2, Video Cue 3....Lighting Cue 1 Go, Sound Cue 2 Go, Video Cue 3 Go ...you get the idea...).

My POV from the booth during 'Perestroika'. 

This show was so big I was working 10 hours a day during rehearsals and 12-14 hours a day during tech week. On top of that I started my next job for Shakespeare in the Ruins before the the performance run ended on Perestroika. During which I went to rehearsals from 10:00am to 5:00pm during the day, then headed to the theatre for performances at Winnipeg Jewish Theatre in the evening from 7:00pm to Midnight.

Perestroika closed last weekend and today is my first day off in a month.

Welcome to my job people...feast or famine! (the famine is approaching in July...I have no work booked in July and August)

Now that I've got that off my chest I'm hoping to get back to blogging. I missed this! I haven't even had time to read the blogs I love in my reader...

But I'm back! It's good to be back! How have you all been?!

Lisa.xo