Wishing for Snow Seems So Wrong...

But I'm dying to wear my new-to-me vintage winter coat.

I have always wanted a green fur trimmed vintage wool coat, but when I find them they are miles too big for me or are too worn for me to consider buying them.

Until yesterday...I was hunting at Value Village for Halloween costumes (no, not vintage for the hoard collection...actual halloween costumes for The Boy and his brother) and I found this coat. I was afraid to try it on...I really couldn't afford it this week, but it fit like a glove and I couldn't leave it there...it's my vintage dream coat people!!

It was +20 Celsius today...which is unseasonably warm for October in Winnipeg and all I can think about is snow..I just want to wear this coat.

Lisa.xo

Halloween Haul

It may seem a little early to be mentioning Halloween, but this is the best time of year to shop for vintage.

Thrift stores who deem anything vintage a "costume" flood the rack with beauties from bygone eras for low prices. I'm in a thrift store at least once a week this time of year.

I ventured out yesterday and brought home these goodies.

Three amazing dresses. The pink one and shiny one don't fit me, but the black and white one fits perfectly!

I bought the men's western shirt to sell, but I'm thinking about making the kimono jacket my new housecoat. It's a large, but looks kinda cute belted on me. We'll see...

The embroidery on the men's shirt is in perfect condition!

Perhaps the best haul of the day: a tooled leather purse! I may also sell this one as I have one I love already. The bamboo clutch I'm keeping for sure though. It's amazing! 

Lisa.xo

A New Home with Me

Last week I did some thrift shopping with my friend Leyan (she's a thrifting newbie, so I was showing her the ropes!).

It's been a while since I've been (not working in the summer means I have to curb my spending) and naturally, I came home with a few treasures.

We hit up one of the Value Villages in the city (the one on Pembina Hwy for anyone residing in Winnipeg). I think it's one of the best VV's in town. You can usually find very gently used designer clothing for a fraction of the cost and it seems to be riddled with vintage.

That being said, this time around I walked away with only a few small items. I've really been wanting a pair of leopard print flats and there was a pair sitting on the shelf ready and waiting for me!

I also brought home these lovely vintage evening handbags. I'm pretty sure the black one is 40's/50's. I have an abundance of black evening bags, but I love the brass closure and the size. I have a hard time fitting my iPhone in some of my vintage clutches and purses, but this one has room to spare!
The silver one is clearly late 60's/early 70's. I just love it's metal handle. Adorable!

We also hit up Ruby Slipper at it's "new" location on St. Anne's Road. I say "new" because they've been there for a year, but it's on the opposite end of the city from where I live and I am rarely in that area with time to spare for shopping. Last thursday was my first visit since they moved
(Keep an eye here for an update on my Ruby Slipper review! Coming soon!).

There were a few dresses I liked, but not enough to buy. And I was very tempted to take home a shortie mink coat with opera collar, but I wasn't feeling it enough either. Ah well..

I did buy some accessories. Two berets: one cream coloured and one blue (which I forgot to photograph because I already put them away in storage with my other berets).

I brought home this lovely carved celluloid and rhinestone bracelet (the green one was another VV purchase that day). No chips, no missing stones. It's absolutely perfect.

And my favourite purchase of the day (and you thought I couldn't top the bracelet?!). These sea turtle scatter pins.
I only wish they'd photographed better. The blue is so deep and rich in person - like the bottom edge of the largest pin. I adore them!! I can't wait to wear them. :)

So those are the latest finds! What have you brought home recently?

Lisa.xo

I Feel Like a Real Blogger Now!

After over 5 years of blogging (and procrastinating) I finally bought myself a tripod for my camera.

I've been taking outfit photos with my camera sitting on top of stacks of books (and occasionally enlisting The Boy to play photographer - much to his chagrin) for as long as I've had this blog and never set aside any funds for a tripod.  

I've spent many hours envying bloggers who take photos outside and with nowhere to put my camera, I have not been able to...until now!!

Last week I decided enough was enough, logged onto my Amazon account and bought myself this little guy - a 42"Polaroid Travel Tripod. 

I picked the travel tripod so I could easily bring it with me in my purse or suitcase. At only 11" when collapsed its small size also means it fits into a drawer at home and doesn't take up room elsewhere. It also came with a protective storage bag. The price was right at $19.99 CAD plus shipping and arrived in less than 5 business days. 

Both my Canon cameras fit on this model and I am able to set it up for horizontal or vertical photos. I've used it twice now and so far I have no complaints! 

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

Thrifting Motherload!

We're in Brandon this weekend, staying with Heather's family in their lovely 1906 heritage home.

source

We have the weekend off (the first two full days off since the beginning of January!), so I took one of our vehicles and hit every thrift shop in town!

I hit the motherload! Not only was the vintage plentiful, it was inexpensive! I bought way more than I had planned.
Here's some of my loot:

This was a Value Village find. I couldn't resist the colour and the tiny coin purse attached with a chain!

This slip is the palest blue. The details on the bust and hem are so pretty! I can't wait to wear it!

This pretty brooch is so much lovelier in person. It's so sparkly, I wish I could have captured that on camera. 

I'm not sure the date of this blazer, but I have other ladies suits from this label and I loved the cranberry colour. I wonder if it came with a skirt or pants?

I could not for the life of me get a good picture of this faux fur coat. I had a serious debate with myself whether I was going to buy it or not, but it fit me so nicely I couldn't leave it in the store. 

 This set was $9. And the shoes fit me. Had to have 'em!

And I've saved the best for last. My heart started to race when I found this 50's prom dress on the rack at Value Village. It is in mint condition! Plus, it was (you'll never believe this) $10!! I think I might get into it with some shapewear, but maybe not...either way I had to have it. 

And this isn't even everything I bought and spent less than $100! I have some other goodies, but I'll show them to you tomorrow. 

Happy Sunday!

Lisa.xo

Goodies

Another post with goodies from the road! We hit up one of the thrift stores and an antique store in Dauphin last Wednesday.

Here's what I brought home with me:


These purses were 50 cents each. I love the straw one (I have a huge weakness for straw purses) and I couldn't resist the soft brown leather on the second one (although it looks black in the pic, it's actually dark brown).

I've always wanted one of these trumpet vases. I see them everywhere, but in strange colours that won't go with my house. I couldn't resist this white one for $1.

My collection of blue glass is growing. I can imagine this as a very cute bud vase.

I've saved the best for last. I bought her at the antique store. My very first vintage head vase! I've always wanted one and they're very pricey in Winnipeg. I scored this lovely lady for $32. I actually don't know much about head vases, but a quick search on eBay and Etsy tells me I did not too bad price wise. Either way I like her and am looking forward to bringing her home to my dressing room.

She's in great shape. She only seems to be missing the bottom, dangling part of her pearl earring. Everything else is there - even the original makers sticker on the bottom. She's made by Parma.

Have you scored at the thrift store lately? Do you have a collection of head vases? Do tell!

Lisa.xo

Diamond in the Rough

...ok...well, I guess they're not diamonds...they're rhinestones...sounded good though didn't it? lol!

I wanted to show you my latest thrift find from the road. This flawless 60's rhinestone necklace!

I found it at the thrift store in Swan River. I had been Googling in search of the thrift store in town, but couldn't find the actual location until I was out shopping with my Grandmother last Saturday. We were walking down the street and a sandwich board with tiny writing on it said "Thrift and Consignment" with an arrow pointing into a building. I squealed with glee and ran in!

For $20 I walked out with this beauty, a cute (modern) denim summer dress and a vintage 60's dress. Not too shabby! :)

Lisa.xo

North

Well, it's not even been a week since the cast and I journeyed out for our school tour with Prairie Theatre Exchange.

This is our cargo van which hold the set, costumes and props. We're en route to Norway House, MB here. 

It honestly feels like we've been gone for two weeks already. Our days are so jam packed with new people, new places and travelling that one day feels like three.

It's late right now, but I just wanted to stop in and say that I'm still around! Check out the link to our tour blog for all the details of our trip.

But before I go, I wanted to show you what I picked up today in Thompson at the Second Chance Thrift Store for $1!

We're on the road by 7:30am tomorrow from Thompson to Gillam, MB to perform in the afternoon! I hope the roads are good! Livin' the Dream! ;)

Lisa.xo

The Hoard is Growing

I was really hoping to show you my face today...I had planned on getting warmly dolled up, taking some outfit photos and heading out to run some crucial errands. It's my last weekend off before we start the northern leg of our tour  next weekend (I'll out of town for all of February except for a day and a half).

But, as usual, life has another plan for me. If you remember I was ill at New Years and I haven't really gotten much better. I am still stuffed up, coughing and have a runny nose a month later. So I dragged myself out of bed this morning and headed to the walk in clinic in my neighbourhood bright and early.
And thank god I did...two hours later I left being told that I have an upper respiratory infection (which is apparently different than bronchitis or pneumonia). So have a fistful of pills to take this week and have relegated myself to the couch for the day to rest. So here I am - not completing my gigantic to do list - instead I'm in my pjs with dirty hair and no makeup...not too pretty people...

So instead I'll show you some of the loot I have recently acquired for the hoard collection.

I bought clutch and this dish (which my mother tells me is the bottom of a butter dish - I plan on putting rings and other baubles in it.) in Lorette, MB while we were performing at the elementary school there last week.

More clutches (I can't resist them..). This one is 70's, I think, but I love the mesh and the size. It's perfect to take out dancing since I can throw it over my shoulder and keep my hands free.

The pearl clutch needs one half of the snap sewn back on (It's still there - it's just come off of the fabric), but I really loved the design on the front.

There were a plethora of necklaces at Value Village when I was there. I made myself choose just one and this beauty was the winner. I love the starburst design and coloured stones. I think it's 40's because of the metal. Any insights? I'm terrible at dating jewelry..

This brooch was another VV find. I bought it a number of weeks ago. I'm not sure how old it is, but I love it's graphic deco look. It's shell inlaid into the plastic. I've worn it both horizontally and vertically and think it would look great pinned to a hat!

All summer last year I wished I had a black rattan purse, so when I found this one the other day I couldn't resist. It's a pretty decent size (I'll be able to fit my wallet, iPhone and sunglasses in it) and the beading is kinda like polka dots!

I bought this case  to store my small, but growing glove collection.(for a hat? anyone?) It's not as large as it looks in the photo - it's about 11" wide across the front)

And last, but not least, I just had to show you these jars (I bought them before Christmas at the MCC thrift store in Portage La Prairie for a two dollars a piece with lids! Love the colour...they are proudly displayed on a shelf in the dining room.

Ok...that's enough for today I think! I'll show my face again before the end of the month...once I get some more meds into me and start feeling like myself again.

Have a great weekend everyone!

Lisa.xo

Grandma's Pearls

Unlike last year, I have not yet done a round up of my Christmas gifts. And I don't plan to...I would, however, like to show you the best thing I got for Christmas this year though.

My Grandma Cotton's pearls.

My Mom inherited these pearls when Grandma passed away and I have always coveted them. My Grandfather bought them for her as a gift and I think they are just beautiful.

I was never even allowed to wear them when my Mom had them. I knew one day I would call them my own, but I always imagined that day to be much further in the future.

the clasp - so pretty!

I was so surprised and touched when I opened them on Christmas morning. I wore them for a week straight. Thanks Mom! Love you lots! xoxo

Lisa.xo