Larkspur & TVCS

September 30, 2013November 11, 20147 Comments

I’m not sure how to express the amazing time I had at The Toronto Vintage Clothing Show. This will now be the fourth vintage market I have done this year. I forget to sit down sometimes and appreciate how much I (and of course Meg, when she was still involved) have done in less than a year with the shop. There is so much more I would like to do, but it’s a decent start.

Anyways! The show! I met so many wonderful people, customers and vendors alike. I am a pretty shy person, but when I’m at my booth, it’s like my discomfort totally dissipates. Getting to talk vintage with people, and sharing the things I love, well it’s a feeling quite like dancing for me. The time flies by, and before you know it, you weren’t quite sure what happened, but you’re left with a warm feeling inside.

It felt like a breath of fresh air when we arrived at 6:30am to load in, and everything was totally organized. I didn’t have to ask a single question. If you have ever participated in a flea market etc., you know what I’m talking about. You can sometimes feel totally overwhelmed by the disorganization. This was not the case here. I have nothing but good things to say about this event, and it’s organizers/staff! Thank you 1 million times!

I unfortunately didn’t get to check out many booths. I was by myself most of the day, peeing wasn’t even really an option, so you can imagine sifting through racks of vintage was not going to happen. However, I did spot a coat that I fell so totally in love with, and ended up buying it at the very end of the day. Now I’m just anticipating colder weather (what!!??) so I can start wearing this baby gem.

Dress: vintage – TV clothing sale (25 cents!)
Blouse: thrifted
Fascinator: vintage
Socks: AA
Shoes: Seychelles

Yorkville

August 13, 2013November 11, 20141 Comment

There are parts of Toronto that I tend to steer clear of, Yorkville, being one of them. Although I’d say I know my fair share about high end couture and fashion, I just don’t look the “Yorkville part”, and believe you me, the boutiques in this area will treat you differently. A sort of Pretty Woman situation, if you will. Being followed in a store as if you are some common thief is just not my cup of tea (is it anyone’s?). Alas, Matt needed some things, so we headed to the area this past weekend.

It’s strange to think that back in the 1960’s, Yorkville was flourishing with bohemian culture, and was a breeding ground for the Canadian hippie movement. It was bustling with folk singers who would flock to the scene – Joni Mitchell, Neil Young and Gordon Lightfoot, to name a few. This is the Yorkville I would have liked. No pretension, just peace, man.

ahh, noticing there is food in your teeth…

Blouse: thrifted
Skirt: thrifted
Sandals: Bass
Tote: Parkdale Flea

Parkdale Flea

August 7, 2013November 11, 2014Leave a comment

Oh goodness guys! Thanks to all my (and Matt’s) lovely pals who came out to the Parkdale Flea on Sunday to give me a couple hellos, and even those cool pals that bought some of my stock! I somehow survived the evening before of way too much tagging and steaming, thanks to my seriously amazing and helpful boyfriend.

The day was filled with sunshine (but god awful wind), neat vendors selling handcrafted wood works, mini doughnuts (geeze louise I could have eaten 3 bags of those bad boys) smoothies/lemonades, beautiful antiques and vintage galore. I didn’t get to do too much browsing myself, because I was manning my booth alone most of the time, but that was quite alright. A gal, like myself, who loves to buy things I probably don’t need, should usually flee (ha!) temptation.

Vince and Josh (the organizers behind this here flea) plan to make this a monthly event. So keep an eye out, you wonderful people! If only that gosh darn skirt fit me! But at least a pal ended up buying it, so I know it’s in good hands.

Blouse, skirt, shoes: thrifted
Bow tie: made by TLO
Sunglasses: Philistine
Rings: my Mama

Larkspur at The Parkdale Flea

August 3, 2013November 11, 2014Leave a comment

I very last minute (!!!) got asked to be a vendor at the Parkdale Flea this year! If you are around tomorrow (especially if you live in Parkdale) you should come by and say hello! I would love to see all your beautiful faces! They’ll be vendors selling vintage, antiques, collectables, local artisans, designers, and some nummy foods – a recipe for a lovely day. Furry friends and all are welcome!

Dear Ballet

August 1, 2013November 11, 20144 Comments

I’ve been dancing since I was 3 yrs old – Mind you, at that age, I mostly sat in a corner sucking my thumb, creating a lovely buck tooth effect to my teeth. Thank god they didn’t stay that way! But that is beside the point. As soon as I really understood what dance was, I was in love…for life it seems.

Finding these photographs of ballerinas in 1936 from Life Magazine reminded me a bit of my history with ballet school. At 12 yrs old, I spent a very short time at the National Ballet School, here in Toronto actually. I was offered a full scholarship, and at that time, that seemed like the most amazing thing. And I guess it was. Being a ballerina is like every little girls dream (well not every). It got me thinking that that was to be my future. At 12 yrs old I was making pretty grown up decisions about how my life would be. Ballet is serious, you guys!

I ended up choosing (back then) jazz and (my niche now) contemporary/hip hop dance over the NBS (but still continued on with ballet), and I do not regret that decision. I will always love ballet, and appreciate all the great things it has done for me. Without it, I wouldn’t carry myself as a dancer the way I do. I truly believe it is the foundation for all. But looking at pictures of ballerinas, and watching ballet films always get me thinking how different things would be, had I chose ballet. I always thought it was a strange thing, that there was a clear moment I had in my life, where I had two paths I could take, and knowing now, how different things could have been had ballet been the one.