Cyber Monday

 So I received an email from Forever 21 stating there is no minimum for Free Shipping and although I made a fur vest I ordered this one on their website. Now just to wait for it!
I actually have decided I really don't like the vest I made. I'm kinda a snob and love real leather/fur. Now this one isn't real but it was $14! I found a rabbit fur one ebay I'm bidding on! Finger's crossed!

I also hit the Aldo Shoes website. They had some great sales too! Now seeing as my shoe collection is way too large (Gasp! Is there such a thing!) I went to check out their accessories and found this beauty! After searching the website it settle on this but upon paying for it there seems to have been an issue. Long story short, they sold out! UUUGHHH!!!!!!!! So MAD!!!

Value Village (Dufferin and Steeles)

Value Village (Dufferin and Steeles) 1520 Steeles Avenue West

My sister woke me up out of bed today proclaiming she was downstairs and to get dressed to grab a bite to eat. Woke up grudgingly!

In the same plaza there was a Value Village. We went in to take a look before brunch. Walking through it is a decent size nothing really catches my eye. My sister finds a pair of Joe Fresh Flats and I see a really pretty long sleeve leather dress ($29.99). But it's too early and I'm still half asleep so I pass trying it on.

I do see in the display case 3 Burberry scarfs. I ask to see them to check them to see if they are authentic. There is a pink plaid linen one which was fake ($9.99), an authentic red and plaid silk one  ($9.99) and a pink silk one ($14.99). 2 out 3 are authentic and I ended loving the most expensive one! Go Figure!

I thought it was adorable with it's lambs. and was a cute pink color!

Burberry Silk Scarf ($14.99)

YSL, Escada, ¸Danier ...Great Thrifting Day!

Since Last week me and Foxy have been dying to venture back to the Value Village (Keele and Wilson) so we go back with high expectations and we weren`t disappointed!

Here`s what I got:


YSL Rive Gauche Vintage
 ($19.99)

On the hanger this Yves St Laurent Suit was very lack luster and seemed past it's years. I think at this point I was just brand whoring!

Brand Whore is defined as: Only looking at the name brand when considering items regardless of style/color, and how unflattering or ugly it might be!

But upon trying it on it fit amazingly! Which goes to show you should never judge something on the hanger! It is really fitted in the waist and then flow out giving a very hourglass like figure! Now I'm never going to wear the pants and blazer together but to own a suit made by the originator of the pantsuit for females a YSL Suit is must!



I really needed sweaters so I cruised the section and came out with quite a few!I love this Pink Super-Soft Over sized Sweater.


Over sized Pink Sweater
($3.99)

So large I wear it as a dress with printed leggings or tights. Wore it the other day and LOVED my outfit with my leopard print leggings, Sky High Wedge booties, Turquoise necklace and quilted bag....here I put a collage together so you can see imagine how awesome I looked the other day. Damn, Should've took a picture!






Escada Knit Fitted Sweater
($7.99)

Cami and Large Knit Sweater
($5.99)

Got this large knit see through-like Black Sweater.

 It cam with a built in camisole but I think I might rip  it off.

Also found this simple Escada v-neck, 3/4 sleeve, beige-grey fitted sweater.

Good Basics.

Last but definitely not least, I got this really cute Blue Danier suede skirt. It is a fitted pencil skirt that fits like a dream. 

Danier Suede Skirt
($12.99)

By the way did I mention I had a full stamp card which got me 30% off. You get a stamp for every $5 you spend or every bag you bring in for donation. 







DIY: Long Asymmetrical Faux Fur Vest

So I've been wanting a fur vest for a while and every time I go to thrift store I look for one or a jacket I can cut the sleeves off to make one. But being unsuccessful so far a trip to the fabric store inspired me to make my own. I was going to Fabricland to buy sewing tap and I tripped upon some faux fur on sale. (by the way if you don't like to sew, hemming pants etc, look into sewing tape! all you need is an iron!)

So begins my little project! All I bought was the fur and fabric, the rest of the supplies I had kicking around.

SUPPLIES:
 3/4 metres of grey faux fur ($14) , Ruler, Scrap paper, marker

Extras:
1 metre of the printed fabric for the lining ($3)
extra fabric for lining (I ran out of the printed fabric so I used an old shirt)
Fabric Ribbon
Glue Gun and Glue sticks
Old ripped leather glove
buckle

1. So I brought it home and measured around my arms for the the arm holes and my between my shoulders. With the arm measurements I made an almond shape out of scrap paper to trace on the fur (go smaller than you think because you can always make it bigger).
    
2. I traced the the following pattern on the fur. Start by folding fabric in half to find centre. Then take the shoulder measurement  and 2-3 inches from the top draw a shoulder line. Trace the arm holes at each end of the line see stencil.).
   
3. Cut out only the arm holes slip your arms into the holes and make any other alterations to fit you better. If you`re not picky you can wear this piece just as is but I made alot of other alterations.
   
    * TIP: when cutting fur cut as close to the backing as possible so you don`t cut the fur off. Or part the fur before cutting. An exacto knife would also be a great option.

The alterations I made were:

 I made the space between the  shoulders smaller and tilted holes towards line to get more of a racer back look.

I wanted this to be really baggy so I can wear with big knits and jackets so I made arm holes bigger.

I also trimmed the corners off to make the vest less asymmetrical and less bulky.

I used the pink fabric I bought and lined the jacket. You can sew but I was kinda lazy so I used a glue gun instead.  I also ran out of the pink fabric so I cut up a old black satin shirt that I was going to donate and used it.

To glue the lining on I just ran the glue around all the edges and around the arms I laid the fabric flat and trimmed the edges and arm holes.

I covered the seams with some fabric ribbon I had kicking around and again I just glue gunned it around the edges and made an interesting Y pattern on the inside.

*Don`t be afraid to use cool and contrasting fabrics for the lining. I also glued some leather hearts on the back from some scrap pink leather I had.  I love when people see a flash of it, it`s a cute quirky detail!

I also  thought it was really loose so I used scrap leather from a pair of ripped pink leather gloves I was gonna throw out and a a buckle (also from the black shirt I used for the lining) and made an interesting closure to gather the back. This piece was the only sewing I did on the vest.

You can use buttons, ribbons or a belt to get this look!

Voila!

this looks awesome over bulky sweaters, with leggings, turtlenecks, over dresses...and so much more! This project is super easy and you can put a little or alot of details on it. You don`t need to know how to sew either.

If you need any help or have any questions please don`t be afraid to comment you email me!


NEXT PROJECT
Seeing how easy this was to make I will buy some better fur and attempt to make something like this a-la-Rachel-Zoe:

Old Navy Haul

Women's Buttoned Linen-Blend
(oldnavy.ca)
$2.79(Sale + 30%)



Striped Waffle Tee
(oldnavy.ca)
$3.49 (Sale + 30%)
 


 I love Old Navy for cheap basics and jeans because they never have logos on their jeans and the fit of their clothing is usually comfortable. Because I'm on their mailing list I usually get emails and a couple of weeks ago I got a 30% off the entire website notice. I usually take this opportunity to stock up on basics because I can get them super cheap! I cruise the sale section and got so much for my dollar! If you spend $50 (before 30% off) you get free shipping! Here are a couple of the deals... some of them I got multiples in or in all colors! LOL!

Yellow Vintage Tee
(oldnavy.ca)
$2.79 (Sale + 30%)



Striped Tank
 (oldnavy.ca)
$2.09 (Sale + 30%)
 

Khakis
(oldnavy.ca)
$4.89 (Sale + 30%)

Denim Vest
(oldnavy.ca)
$6.99 (Sale + 30%)





 








So this weekend was also the crazy Cheermageddon Event at Old Navy and seeing as my boyfriend wanted more of the Sherpa-lined hoodies I bought him last year I thought I'd go grab them for him. Now I thought they were $15 as advertised but it seems that the one that was on sale was the Fleece hoodies so I got him one of each. Another deal I couldn't pass up was jeans for my boyfriend for only $10! Another thing I love is that they have different length sizes from petite to tall.
As well I remembered my mom was looking for a fleece sweater and the women's Fleece Pullovers were only $5 so I picked my mom up a couple.





Men's Loose-Fit Jeans
$10 (Cheermageddon)




Fleece Pullover
$5 (Cheermageddon)

Sherpa-Lined Hoodie
$25 (Cheermageddon)







Value Village (Wilson and Keele)

So today was the infamous 50% off sale in Value Village and I got a chance to hit up 3 of them but only picked up items at 2 of them. Value Village (Landsdowne and Bloor) was a bust due to it being really popular with all the hipsters in the neighbourhood.

The second one is:

Value Village (Wilson and Keele) 1030 Wilson Avenue




Mantles Trench
($12.99 - 50% - $6.50)

I hit this one up with Foxy after work and with an hour left to go we slide into this huge location and we are surprised at the lack of people. We walk around expecting things to be picked over but to our surprise it was filled with amazing things!! The purse and shoe department is not very impressive but it had some great jackets. 


H&M Back Anorak
$9.99 - 50% - $4.99)

They had some great vintage trench coats that were made in Canada for only $6.99! I pick up a grey one, Jones New York red one and a  and Mantles khaki  one with plaid on the inside a-la-Burberry. I also pick up a H&M Black anorak and spot a new red leather biker jacket with tags still on! To my disappointment it didn't fit! I ended up with the Mantles Khaki Trench and Black H&M anorak.

Going through the skirts we look out for a great leather skirt we've been hunting for. We come up with a Blue Danier pencil skirt ($12.99), a blue leather pencil skirt with almost an acid wash texture and Black snaps going down the front (looking back I should've picked this up for my sister! was definitely drool worthy and a steal at $13.99!) and Foxy pulls out of the rack triumphantly a beautiful black Danier Leather skirt ($19.99). 

Danier Leather Skirt
Danier.com ($279)
($19.99 - 50% - $9.99)

Excitedly she tried it on right there in the isle over her jeans and hops into it! Success!!! (By the way when we got back to her place we researched the skirt, it retails for $279 and currently on sale for $179 on the Danier website!)
 We Go over to the Blazers, excited with all the great finds make it hard to focus! But going through the racks there are LOTS of name brands like Gap, H&M, Tommy Hilifiger, etc. Foxy pulls out another great find! A Vintage Oversize Escada Cashmere Pastel Plaid Blazer ($14.99)!  She rolls up the sleeves to reveal the pale pink lining! So pretty!

We also picked up a couple more items but the announcement saying it's closing time we didn't get to try them on. We walk out with large grins on our faces and a sense of accomplishment! We are excited to go back to this location without the pressure of the clock to go through all the great racks of items!

 Overall Impression:
The best location so far. Not to close to downtown to warrant the crowd therefore there are many treasures! It's large and it seems that this location the pricing seems much lower than the others.
Ranked #1 for me right now but don't tell your friends, I don't want it to be picked through.

Value Village (Victoria Park and Eglinton)

So today was the infamous 50% off sale in Value Village and I got a chance to hit up 3 of them but only picked up items at 2 of them.Value Village (Landsdowne and Bloor) was a bust due to it being really popular with all the hipsters in the neighborhood.

The first one is:

Value Village (Victoria Park and Eglinton) 1525 Victoria Park Avenue

I went with my mom and dad to this one at 7:30am and was surprise to see that it was already buzzing! My mother walked away with 2 Eddie Bauer Jackets and a plaid wool caplet her total was around $30. my dad walked away with a cotton blazer, a leather jacket, a couple tops, some trousers and a pair of new Tommy Hilfiger Jeans with tags courtesy of me of course! His total was around $60

Here's what I got:



H&M Shawl
($12.99 - $6.50)

 

Chunky Knit Cardigan
 ($9.99 -  $4.99)

Vintage Dress with Leather
Details ($12.99 - $6.50)

Burberry Wedges
(I got these a couple months ago
for $9.99, Retails for $200+)

 

Leopard Skirt ($7.99 - $3.99)











Overall Impression:
I go to this one with my mom, It's big and has great stuff. Although large it is much better when there isn't any sales. They have a great Jacket section and usually have lots of things with tags. 





OLD NAVY CHEERMAGEDDON SALE!

So there is this great sale going on and I thought I'd let all of you guys know!

The cold is coming so stock up! Also Christmas is just around the corner!

 

 

 

Some Great Highlights for this Sale are: 

 

 

$19 Mens and Womens Jeans

$5.00 Tees for the Family



$8.00 Jingle Jammies for the Family

$10 Hoodies and Pants For Girls and Boys

 

 







Value Village (Landsdowne and Bloor)

Value Village (Landsdowne and Bloor) 1319 Bloor Street West
 

So at this point we're starting to tire out but coming into this Value Village left us stunned! I've been here once before with another friend but don't remember buying anything nor was I as interested. This location is HUGE! Rows and Rows of racks of clothes and a large seasonal section filled with Christmas Decor. 

We head over to the purses but before we get there we check out the glass display case. We notice purses behind the glass case and I ask to take a look at the small Patent Gucci Purple-Black Ombre handbag ($59.99) in the display case. I'm very well trained to spot fakes and as soon as she places the purse in my hand I automatically know this one is a fake. My friend asked to see a Multi-Colored Coach Tote ($39.99) and another Brown Leather Coach Hobo ($59.99). Upon receiving them I confirm for my friend they are real Coach. Amused by my knowledge the lady behind the glass brings some more purses and I confirm they are all real Coach. They seem to be all from the same collection so I assume some rich lady decided to clean out her closet. While I was walking away my friend asks me if I saw the Green Prada ($39.99). Curious I walk back and ask for it. Instantly my heat jumps as I recognize the great quality that is Prada. I check the inside pocket and low and behold I find the Authenticity cards! SCORE! I instantly want it! So I tell the lady that I want it and she holds it for me while we walk around.

Feeling amped we scour the store looking for more treasures! I check the regular racks of purses and find this bag I had wanted a while back but didn't want to spend the $200, a Snakeskin Banana Republic Leather Purse ($5.99). Amazing! Now we're Super Pumped!

Because of the size of this location it has large departments! We stroll the around and end up by the blazers. I find an awesome Tiger Print Satin Blazer ($7.99). I was initially scared it might be gaudy but thought it would be so cute over solid colored dresses or a white t-shirt and jeans accessorized with some chunky colorful jewellery. I guess the tiger in me (my Chinese Horoscope Sign) couldn't resist!

I found Foxy a beautiful Chiffon Pink Blouse ($7.99) and she decides to get the Brown Coach Leather Purse as well.

We both walk out excited and thrilled about our great finds!

Overall Impression:
Large Location with lots of Clothing, Housewares and Furniture. Although we got great finds it had quite a few customers and I can see this place getting picked over often. Overall great location, will definitely come back!

Salvation Army (Landsdowne and Queen)

Stop 3 of Day 1 of our Thrifting Spree... excitement is fading but we're still optimistic!

Salvation Army (Landsdowne and Queen)1447 Queen West

 

Located in a sketchy area, tucked away in a plaza was this little gem. Upon walking in the we notice the New-with-tags  coats and vintage fur coats hanging from the windows and the new-with-tags fabric covered dining chairs. We check the Glass display case and it's filled with everything from jewellery to cameras and cellphones.

I took a look at the Christmas decor and ended up getting these gorgeous pair of Crates &Barrel Stockings ($2.99 for both!) which I'm pretty sure were new as there was at least 6-8 of them.

This location is small and humble with circular racks of clothing arranged by color. Accessories were not great and scarce and the clothing was packed in tight. They had some really good brands and cute jackets.

I found an over sized grey H&M sweater ($7.99 + 30% off) with a low back. I wear it as a dress with sheer stockings and my studded boots. Love the fit of it!

Foxy got a couple stems of realistic looking plastic orchids for $1 each and a Lavender FCUK ($12.99) puff sleeve jacket.

Overall Impression:
I like its small intimate atmosphere. Not the cleanest at the back but the front is organized and cleaner. I wouldn't go out of my way to go here but there are treasures to be found with a little persistence.

 

 

Salvation Army (Bathurst and St. Clair)

Birks Goldtone Victorian French 1890s Coffee Spoons

 

Salvation Army (Bathurst and St. Clair) 665 St Clair West

Walking in this location is very  clean. Walking through the housewares isles I was amused at the Hello Kitty phone in the box. Other items that caught my eye were the new buckets of paint selling for $19.99 each (if you buy 3 you can get them for $17.99) and the new-in-box light fixtures for $5.00. Upon closer inspection of the light fixtures they had were track lighting kits and sconces, none of which I needed but are definitely an amazing deal!

There wasn't as much clothing and was a little overpriced but overall not bad. They did have sets of satin Oriental style robes and pyjamas new in packages for $1.00. There was an entire bin filled with them!

This location also had some pretty vintage furniture but what caught my eye was these set of spoon in the glass display case. They were $5.99 and I thought they were beautiful and in new condition! They had no markings but decided to get them anyways.

Example from : madcowtownskin.com

After some online research I found out the spoons were French Victorian from the 1890s and ones in worst condition sold on ebay for $20 each. I'm not sure yet if I will keep them or sell them but great deal none the less.

Foxy lusted after a real hide patch work rug in another customer's hand similar to this one, but he ended up purchasing it for $29.99 but not without us letting him know that it was gorgeous and how we wish we had found it first!

Overall Impression:
Amazing for housewares and furniture. New buckets of paint and New light fixtures. Clothing was clean and a little overpriced but store was clean and organized and staff was friendly!



Goodwill (Bathurst and St. Clair)

Our first day of our Thrifting Spree and me and my buddy Foxy are pumped to find treasures! Our planned first stop was the Goodwill on Jane and Runnymede. But due to my great navigation skills (reminding Foxy why she doesn't trust me to make plans as I'm somewhat directionally challenged!) we ended up near Bathurst and St. Clair.

Goodwill Toronto (Bathurst and St. Clair) 585 St Clair Ave W



Foxey black quilted leather bag. Made in Italy

Now I'm not saying we're princesses but sometimes the thought of the Thrift store makes our skin crawl! So we stick to basics: Outerwear, Jewellery and Handbag. This location was a decent sized store but wasn't very organised and tidy. As soon as we came in there was a glass display case. The only thing that caught my attention was a gold necklace with a round green pendent wrapped with a gold filigree design. It was very beautiful but for $15.99 I think I'll pass.We turned our attention to a lady digging into 2 carts we walked over and realized they were filled with purses and after looking around to see if they belonged to anyone we dig in with her. Now this will sound like a "princess" statement, but I hate faux leather bags! The plastic just turns me off and too many times I've purchased beautiful and expensive bags only for they to start peeling and cracking! So I stick to leather! Immediately I find this Chanel-like treasure! An Italian, black leather quilted bag with a cute tassel and a long and short handle ($10.00). I love it! Foxy found an equally beautiful bucket style leather bag with multicolored suede patches ($12.00).

Overall Impression:
and cluttered location. Contains items you would think of when you think thrift store: outdated polyester suits, moldy looking sweaters and yellowing appliances. Definitely found the only gems at this location.

Don't think I'll be returning. 

On to the next one down the road...Salvation Army (Bathurst and St. Clair)

Thrifting Spree - Best Thrift Stores Toronto

 

As I was watching "My shopping Addiction" on TLC and reevaluating oh-too-similar behaviour the addicts were displaying causing me to consider an intervention, I was distracted by a shopper who only shopped in second hand stores. She was scoring Dior, Prada, Gucci Purses for mere $60! 

 

Seeing this I can hear my mother's lecture to us about not forgetting we were raised on clothing from Goodwill when our heads got too big for our own good! You see my parents came to Toronto from the Philippines with very little. But with hard work my parents became an immigrant success story.

 





Baby Me!



Funny how things come full circle! After years of spending thousands of dollars on regular retail you can find me now with my mother shopping in these same secondhand stores I loathed growing up, looking for  treasures and unique, quality clothing that I can guarantee will not have a "who wore it best" showdown.

 

But with everything, there is a right way and a wrong way. I called my reliable shopping buddy Foxy and got her pumped to do a mass thrift store shopping spree!

 

Here are some tips to prepare for thrifting because Knowledge is Power!

 

1.  Brand Me 

Having a great photogenic memory and being an avid shopper I am well versed in brands. Make sure to research brands and their specialities and average price points, this will help you correctly assess the value in a item. Example a Topshop dress priced $9.99 (retails $70) vs. an Ted Baker dress priced $9.99 (retails $250) . Also be careful! Some big brands although well know and advertised produce cheap mass produced items. Which brings me to my next tip....

 

2. Know how to recognise Quality

Knowing the difference between real leather and distressed Pleather is necessary. The imitations are getting better and better so knowing the telltale signs will help you recognise the treasures among the mass amounts of cheaply manufactured clothing. Keep an eye on stitching, seaming and details. Quality items in a second hand store have survived use after use because they are made well.

 

3. Size is nothing but a Number
Don't limit yourself to a size. Depending on the maker yo might be smaller or bigger than the size you think. If something catches your eye, TRY IT ON!


4. Apply to Memberships and Mailing Lists
All of the thrift stores have sles going on all the time.
Goodwill has 75% tag sales and 50% off Everything sales.
Value Village has 50% off once a month, membership cards and stamp cards. Salvation Army has coupons on thier website.


5. Keep an Open Mind
 Stain on the sleeve of a Blazer? Signs of wear on the knee of jeans? If you love it, Ask for a discount! By sewing a silk scarf on the inside of the blazer's arms and rolling it up... Voila! and taking a cheese grater to  the jeans you get a great distressed look!


 I will be posting my finds and reviews on the stores we visit and a map of the locations.

Stay tuned and Happy Thrifting!!

Shoeaholic, Overdosed, Addicted!

 

To say I'm a shoeaholic is an under statement! After years and years of my infatuation I have acquired 100s of pairs! Here are a sampling of my collection.


I store them in plastic fold able boxes so I'm able to see what I have. (often treasures get forgotten in my black hole of a closet!) I bought the boxes for $1.00 each in Dollarama but recently I noticed they raised the prices to $1.50! I've seen similar if not identical boxes at other storage stores for $5.00+.