Vintage Leather Jacket!

My mom dragged me to the Thrift store this weekend as I was walking around bothering my mom to hurry up I found this! Now it was $50 but seeing as between my mom, my aunt and me we had 6 items I got it for $25! i found it on Etsy for $225!

(Now this is not my coat I found this one on Etsy but it's pretty much identical, although mine had suede covered buttons, it's belt and the pink lining wasn't quilted but still pink!)

A vintage Toronto Leather/Fur Company is the make and it is a Suede Long Coat with a Fox Fur Collar.It was in great condition barely worn but because it's second hand I steamed it and then tossed it in the dryer with like tons of dryer sheets! Voila! good as new!

My favourite part is the Pale Pink Lining! Small details Get me.
So excited that I wore it today with this outfit!

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 (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!!

Mission Statement

Looking for a leather bustier? a ceramic cake stand? vintage scarfs? silver teapot?

Do you have that friend that you always call to inquire about where to buy what? No? I'll be that person for you!

I grew up in Toronto and love my city and know all the ins and outs of shopping!

After years of "where did you get that?!" and " you got that for how much?!". I've decided to share my expertise in all things shopping!

By taking advantage of sales, online shopping, visiting thrift stores, auctions, I get amazing treasures for up to 90% off!

In this Blog I will be reviewing stores, sharing purchases, offering inspiration tips, sharing project, and much more!