Archive for the ‘Vintage’ Category

A Touch of Vintage, Riverdale (by appointment)

Wednesday, April 7th, 2010

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Ever found an online Etsy store selling vintage and wished you could just rifle though all the retro goodies by hand?

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A Touch of Vintage just happens to be one of those shopping places where you can have your cake and eat it too, so to speak.

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If you’re an online addict, shop away as co-owners Diane Coatsworth and Victoria Adilman-Chan post uber precise measurements for the vintage dresses they sell.

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If you’re a Torontonian and prefer a good retail dig, email atouchofvintage@gmail.com to make a personal appointment in their Riverdale studio.

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The gals stock vintage dresses from the 1950s to 70s for reasonable prices – ranging from $22-$50 or so, with a few extra special frocks going for about $65-$85 each.

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There’s also some fab purses, scarves and accessories – the 1980s red leather purse shaped like a pair of lips for around $22 caught the attention of SheShops.

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You can also find vintage housewares, everything from 196os highball glasses to retro clocks and glassware.

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SheShops had a clock just like this one when she was growing up in the 1970s!

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The girls also tie-dye retro full and half slips in funkadelic colours, and recently have transformed white slips into gorgeous pastel-hued creations.

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Visit atouchofvintage.etsy.com to preview items, for sale in USD. If you pick up locally you save on the shipping!

Check out their Facebook for regular updates.

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Posted in Bargain Hunting, East End, East Toronto, Etsy, Housewares, Online Shopping, Retro, Riverdale, Vintage, clothing | No Comments »

Mira’s Vintage Boutique, the Beach

Monday, March 15th, 2010

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If you never thought there was a good reason to hit the edge of the Beach shopping district on Queen Street East just west of Victoria Park, stand corrected because that reason is Mira’s Vintage Boutique.

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SheShopsTO expected Mira’s to be some tiny consignment shop.The outside looks so quaint, and that darling awning hanging over the sidewalk, with the words “One of a Kind Consignment Store” printed on it, is just the biggest invitation for deal divas to waltz right in….

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But the inside  is surprisingly large and jam packed with all kinds of fashion goodies. Presided over by owner Mira Staples, the shop carries ladies’ clothing and accessories on a consignment basis, both contemporary and vintage.

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There’s also some new end-of-the-line fashions by the likes of Costa Blanca, Guess? and other fashiony labels, plus new costume jewellery, shoes, handbags and sunglasses at reasonable prices.

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A whole wall is dedicated to vintage fabric and $20 a yard, and if you’re so inclined Mira can whip them up into a set of drapes for you. She also does custom work, mainly in the costume biz, for sports teams, skaters and those in need of uniforms, though she has done dresses too. If you’re lucky you may find the odd Mira original hanging from the racks.

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You can bag a retro Simon Chang or Holt Renfrew blazer for under $50 or so, while the odd vintage wool dress can be had for $40. Make sure you take a peep in the glass counter as there’s a hoard of vintage brooches and rings for good prices. SheShops almost bought an antique gold-tone and jade pin for $40, but it didn’t fit into her life.

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There’s also second-hand hats, blazers and skirts. Sizes appear to vary; this is one of the few consignment and vintage shops this shopper has seen where size 20 is not just an anomaly.

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SheShops found took home an Art Deco enamel pin for $15; a Save the Queen top for $30; and a darling dress made in Italy for $20. Definitely worth a peep and regular visits. And if you’re there near close hit the nearby Vi Vetha Bistro at 2485 Queen Street East for a fab inexpensive dinner – you may be able to get a table without reservations.

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2238 Queen Street East

416-699-4005

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Posted in Bargain Hunting, East End, East Toronto, Jewellery, Second Hand, The Beach, Vintage, accessories, clothing | No Comments »

Danforth Village Antique Market, Danforth & Pape

Sunday, February 28th, 2010

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If you’re the type to walk along the street and never look up, you could be missing out on one of the neatest antique shops in east Toronto.

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Correction: ascend the half staircase to the Danforth Village Antique Market, Finders Keepers for short, and you won’t find a shop per se. The Danforth and Pape Aves. antique abode truly has the look and feel of an antiques market.

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Owner and antiques dealer Ali Medina has been plying his trade for over 30 years, between his European adventures and partaking in several antique downtown market ventures before opening his own on the Danforth.

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No matter that what started as an antique market with 13 or so dealers about three years ago has shrunk to just Ali himself as a dealer. Don’t think for a second that that means the breadth of goods or knowledge is any the lesser.

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In fact SheShops dares you to find an era or category that ISN’T represented at Finders Keepers:

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Rare 18th century Minton china (pictured here; the platter is going for $245 and dinner plates are $125 each); retro glassware; antique lighters; lamps and chandeliers of various eras; enough vintage jewellery to sink a ship.

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There’s more. Carved wood pieces; perfume bottles; clocks and watches; religious artifacts, artwork; pottery, dolls, crystal and brass.

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On a recent visit there were books full of first-issue stamps (and postcards explaining their relevance) from Canada and the USA, with prices averaging $10 per envelope.

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From the kitschy to the creepy, the elegant to the austere, this shop has it all.  And if it doesn’t, let’s just say it’s Ali’s personal mission to find it for you.

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He’s got a hoard of pickers finding stuff for him, and he’s pretty up on what things are selling for and what’s out there as a good portion of his biz is from online selling.

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Prices aren’t bargain basement but they’re fair. And with an ongoing (at least for the last 6 months) 50 percent off jewellery sale, there’s extra incentive for bling lovers to loiter over the jewellery counters a wee bit longer than usual.

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SheShops fell in love with an Art Deco brass and green cut glass choker, signed “Regina”, for $150 with the 50 percent off.

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Other cool items: collectible handmade Canadian dolls by the Marina Guild of Handicapped Artisans, around $95-$110 each.

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Definitely a shopping feat for the peepers. Hope you find some keepers like SheShops did.

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715 Danforth Ave.

416-599-7072

www.findersantiques.info

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Posted in Antiques, Danforth Ave., East End, East Toronto, Greektown, Jewellery, Kitschy, Lighting, Retro, Vintage | No Comments »

Stretch Thrift, Pape Village

Saturday, February 6th, 2010

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Seasoned thrifters out there know that having a thrift store in your neighborhood can be a wardrobe and decor godsend.

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SheShops  knows it too: she regularly pops into Stretch Thrift in Pape Village, and or she finds great stuff.

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Thrift shopping isn’t for every one. There’s that thrift store smell, for one. But Stretch has these cool dispensers on the wall that shoot out stuff into the air to neutralize the funky second-hand scent.

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Stretch has clothing for men, women (including a plus size rack), kids and babies, all sorted into sections. There’s a wall of textiles like bedspreads and such at the back, and the special stuff is either in the window, behind the counter or under glass.

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In the basement there’s books, VHS videos, magazines, electronics, furniture and decorative items.

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Prices are good, probably on par with Salvation Army Thrift Stores or less. SheShops found a yellow Bill Blass 1980s swing coat for $14.99; multiple leather and suede Made in Italy boots for under $20 each; and decent designer jeans for about $4.99-$10.99 – way cheaper than Value Village.

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Selection may not be as up-to-date or current as Value Village as the store relies solely on donations (and donates a portion of its proceeds to the East General hospital), but there’s usually some gem to be dug up if you really look.

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SheShops has also found wonderful furniture (solid wood retro table for $29.99), decorative accessories (German crystal lamp for the same price), and fashion accessories (retro jewellery and designer purses for a couple bucks). There’s even the odd vintage piece to be had.

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874 Pape Ave.,416-425-0024

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Posted in Bargain Hunting, Decor, East End, Furniture, Jewellery, Pape Village, Thrift, Vintage, accessories, clothing | No Comments »

Boj Decor

Tuesday, January 26th, 2010

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Head to the charming Mount Pleasant Road for croissants and coffee at one of the French cafes there, and after that have a leisurely saunter through the many antique shops there. Whatever you do, don’t go home without stopping into Boj Decor.

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Owner Lucy Kokalov has an eye for style and a funky-chic decor aesthetic all her own. Her shop is a mix of old and new furniture and accessories and pieces she’s reworked herself. The chair, above, falls into the latter category.

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Decor junkies, think Elle Decor magazine and you’ll have a sense of Lucy’s glam instinct.

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Lucy’s got heart and spirit and guts. The shop is named after her late daughter, Boj, and she honours her memory in beautiful ways: these necklaces were handmade by a local artist recovering from addiction and Lucy doesn’t keep a penny of commission.

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You can buy art, books, French soaps and candles, really unique jewellery, and of course uber one-of-a-kind vintage and antique furniture pieces,  like the curvy two-seater pictured here.

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The shop is a showcase for Lucy’s obvious talent for interior design and decor, a talent many a Rosedale home has benefited from. SheShops is in love what she did with this chair.

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Prices for furniture and art aren’t bargain basement but they’re worth if you dig quality one-offs with heaps of style. But you can still find a gorgeous decorative pillow for $40; a lovely paisley wool throw for $100; and soaps and candles for decent prices.

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685 Mount Pleasant Rd., 416-545-0088

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Posted in Cushions, Decor, Eye for Style, Gifts, Jewellery, Lighting, Midtown, Vintage, accessories | No Comments »

Redrawn

Tuesday, January 19th, 2010

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Where, oh where do all the custom-made draperies go when well-off Toronto folk redecorate their digs?

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The answer until recently was the junk pile, or if we were lucky, the thrift shop. But thanks to an ultra new concept store on Mount Pleasant Rd. called Redrawn, those gorgeous designer-sourced silk curtains with thick cotton lining and delicate fabric edges can now find a second home.

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Owners Janet Abraham and Martha Mackenzie buy pre-loved custom draperies and soft furnishings like pillows, blankets and pillow shams on a consignment basis, then turn them over to decorating deal seekers who haunt the Value Villages of the world in vain for gorgeous window treatments and the like.

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Price points vary: $595 for two panels of soft grey silk curtains, heavily lined and trimmed; $160 a pair for some lovely dark grey organza sheers; $85 a pair for some darling sheers with butterflies on them.

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There are also pillows and pillow shams, blankets and the odd vintage piece and a few area rugs. As far as Abraham can tell there isn’t a shop like this anywhere in Canada. It’s truly worth checking out if you’re a decor diva who digs high style on a budget.

616 Mount Pleasant Rd., 416-487-1030 www.redrawn.ca

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Posted in Bargain Hunting, Custom-Made, Decor, Midtown, Second Hand, Vintage, accessories | 2 Comments »

The Bead Goes On, Mount Pleasant Rd.

Monday, January 18th, 2010

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The Bead Goes On, on Soudan Ave. just off Mount Pleasant Rd. near Eglinton Ave. East, is a tiny shop packed full with vintage and retro jewellery, handbags, accessories and even some clothing.

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Needlepoint purses, $75-$150.

Fashionistas or just bling or bag happy folk can find everything from vintage croc handbags for a few hundred bucks to 1970s costume jewellery for under $20.

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Costume jewellery rings start at about $15.

SheShopsTO has been lucky: she picked up a gorgeous retro patent-like bag for $10; a Sarah Coventry 1960s cocktail ring for $15; and a pair of blue 1960s super big shades made in Italy for $35. Oops almost forgot about the 1970s carpet bag for $45.

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More dear jewellery is under glass but deal divas will find plenty of costume pieces to sate their thirst for style.

Don’t let the smallness of the shop deceive: in the jewellery cases you’ll find Victorian baubles alongside retro costume bling, sterling silver, and rhinestones.

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Not everything is vintage retro: this Miu Miu patent leather handbag spotted on a recent visit was $125.

On the walls and piled on shelves, carpet bags repose alongside retro croc bags and vintage mesh metal purses.

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There's also retro sunglasses, vintage pillboxes and compacts, and shoes.

Owner Cyndi Calder has a 20/20 vision when it comes to having a stylish eye. There’s a small rack of fur and vintage/retro clothing as well. Don’t forget to take a quick peek at the scarves as SheShopsTO has spotted a handrolled Hermes in the past for under $200.

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256 Soudan Ave.

416-481-7622

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Posted in Bargain Hunting, Gifts, Jewellery, Midtown, Vintage, accessories | No Comments »