be bold

Floral print dress (vintage,  Treasure Chicks Vintage, Toronto, ON).  Denim jacket (Old Navy). Booties (Zara).

Nothing but a whole lotta love for this dress. I was so excited when I saw the bold print and simple cut at the Vintage Clothing & Textile Show Toronto, that I tried it on over my jeans and blouse right in the middle of the sellers' booth, looked at the seller and said, "its perfect, I'll take it". 

Sometimes, you just know!

 Photos Renza

miss v

I was always fascinated when I was younger while shopping with my grandmother (now a healthy 102!) that she could buy a blouse or jacket without even trying it on.  Having made all of her own clothes until she was late into her 70's, she would simply pull her measuring tape out of her purse, measure from shoulder to shoulder and if the garment measured an exact 15 1/2 inches, done deal.  She also told me that with my frame, similar to hers, I should always be shopping in the petites section.  She would school me in my teen years, during my grunge phase, the first time around, that my frame was far to small to be wearing the over sized flannel menswear that I loved, and even though I didn't listen then, her message stuck.  One of the many reasons that I gravitate to shopping vintage is the true fit. Quite different from today where one store a size 4 fits and the next a 00.  Really, 00 is not a size!  And while I don't shop with a measuring tape in my purse, I have a pretty well trained eye for what will work for my body.  The Valentino, MissV jacket that I found recently at a local vintage fair is a perfect example.  While I was initially attracted to the bubble-gum tartan (a first for me) it was only after I slipped it on and it fit like a glove that I was sold.    Gram would be very impressed with this one.  Classic, lady-like and a perfect fit!

Miss V by Valentino (vintage, Wild Thing Vintage, Toronto, ON). Levis (second-hand, 96 Tears Vintage, Toronto, ON). Saks Fifth Ave top (vintage, Lost & Found Vintage, Royal Oak, MI). Shoes (Nine West). Suede clutch (The Gap). Sunglasses (Ray-Ban).

Photos Renza

excuse me are those your gran's shoes?

Fur coat (vintage, Flashback, Kensington Market, Toronto, ON). Jeans (second-hand, 96 Tears, Toronto, ON). Shoes (vintage, Seattle, WA). Top (F21). Necklace (vintage, Antiques at Pike Place, Seattle, WA). Diet Coke purse (Incognito). 

This is a snapshot of what it really looks like when we're shooting! Snow and sub zero temperatures with the occasional gust of wind that sends me running for cover. Think Spring :)

Photos Renza

handmade

You may remember a few weeks ago when I posted 'What I'm thinking about for Spring' that I had included a granny square hand-knit tank on my list.  Well, it has taken a few months to convince her but my very talented friend Diane has agreed to make me a custom one.  I'll be in town visiting family and friends this weekend and plan to meet up with her for a drink and 'unveiling'.  I'm so excited. 

In the meantime, I picked up this sweater at a consignment store in Toronto.  It by no means trumps the granny square design but the fact that it was handmade, evident by its little imperfections prevented me from leaving it on the rack! Oh, and it just so happens to match my new (pre-loved) Fendi baguette perfectly.

Visit Diane's Etsy store here

Sweater (second-hand, Common Sort, Toronto, ON). Levis (vintage, 96 Tears Vintage, Toronto, ON). Fendi Baguette (second hand, Fashionably Yours Consignment, Toronto, ON). Shoes (BCBGMaxAzria). Eyeglasses (Chloe). Bracelets (Giles & Brother, market find).

Photos Renza

what i'm thinking about - spring 2015

L to R 

1. High-rise vintage Levi's, cropped just above the ankle.  2. A granny square tank.  My order is in production as we speak.  3.  Suede flared pants.  These were a street style pic taken from Fashion Week and are to die for.  4. Chunky knits paired with a vintage slip.  5.  A great sweater dress.  I am currently on the hunt for the perfect one.  6.  Fringe. We have seen major fringe on the runways for fall 2015. I think that I'm going to take it a step further and add fringe bangs for spring during my next visit to my hairdresser.

Footwear L to R

1. Pointed toe, kitten heel booties.  2.  Classic Dr. Scholl's clogs.  I had these exact pair when I was 8. That was a few years ago, I think it's time to bring them back into my closet.  3.  Block heel Mary-Janes.  I have been talking about this style of shoe for a few months now.  I found a few vintage pairs last time I was in Seattle.  I can't wait for the snow to melt so that I can pair them with my favourite vintage Levi's.  4.  Stacked 1970's inspired heels.  With both dresses and jeans, these will give you legs for miles and miles.

Photos Pinterest

altered state

I believe that all garments are a work in progress.  Sometimes I have a hard time getting rid of things that have great bones; pants in a bold shade of purple but the leg just isn't flattering anymore or a jacket with gigantic shoulders but made of the most beautiful wool.  

Alterations and a trusty seamstress are both something I'm quite fond of.  Case in point with these jeans.  I mean it was not a huge alteration but I think the look it quite different.  

The last time I wore them in a post was in July 2013 (how was it that long ago?) They have since been in my closet for some time but I still really loved them. I thought about options for a few weeks and settled on simply shortening them above the ankle.  I figured that this would allow me to wear them with flats or sneakers, something that was not an option when they were so long without losing their massive size.  I must say that I'm quite happy with the result.  Throughout the winter I have worn them with ankle boots and sneakers and look forward to pairing them with platform sandals come spring. *Just make sure when hemming jeans, especially a distressed pair that you spend the extra money to have your seamstress salvage the original hem and reattach it at your desired length.  It makes all the difference.

Faux fur vest (thrifted, Kensington Market, Toronto, ON). Top (Joe Fresh). Vintage Men's Levis (Urban Outfitters, Toronto, ON). Shoes (Nine West). Clutch (vintage, Salvation Army, Windsor, ON). Necklace (vintage, Jones & Co. Windsor, ON).

Photos Renza