70s REVIVAL TRENDS:  bow blouses (my mom wore these and I would NEVER imagine doing the same) and paisley prints (which had a brief comeback sometime in the 90s).

Honestly, both are available everywhere these days (especially vintage on Etsy), but a few I came across online:

Vero Moda Rosa Bow 3/4 Long Sleeve Top on sale for $35 with free Canadian shipping at Tiastar.com


Shop Bow Blouses on Shopstyle


The very popular ASOS  pussy bow blouse on sale for $27 right now


Paisley prints @ Forever 21

Paisley on the runways – Fall 2008
Dolce & Gabbana | Gucci | DKNY

I don’t remember much about buying these shoes, but I do remember questioning whether they were hot or not. In the end I bought them because they were just too odd to pass up. Over the years, I’ve been too shy to wear them, but too fascinated to toss them!

As it turns out, my funky heels came in handy as I was getting ready for last week’s Tana Spring 2012 Shoe Trends event at Black Moon Lounge. Not only was fashion guru Adrian Mainella hosting it, but there was also a competition for the best shoes. To my surprise, Mainella picked my kooky vintage kicks as the best of the evening! (I won against a pair of Balenciagas and Calvin Kleins!) I won a gift card for Browns Shoes and a basketful of awesome Tana shoe care products!

As I was digging through my newly acquired booty, I felt guilty. Like most folks, I don’t mind dropping big bucks on shoes, but I tend to be lax in the care department. I instantly fell in love with the Tana® Shine Sponge in neutral, since I can give my shoes a quick high gloss shine, before I head out the door! I’m also looking forward to cleaning my summer shoes with the Universal Sandal Care before I put them away for the season. Thank you Tana!

2nd annual Parkdale Then & Now Festival
Saturday, July 23, 2011

There are a handful of great boutiques and artists in Toronto’s Parkdale neighbourhood (way out on Queen West past Dufferin) – but I’m featuring Common Sort, a funky little second-hand/vintage shop and Wolfie Clothing, a line of hand-drawn prints on tees and stuff by artist Nicole Brayshaw Bond because they both e-mailed me!

Photos of hand-picked, recycled fashions @ Common Sort, 1414 Queen Street West

I love these Wolfie prints by Wolfie Clothing: Boyfriend Material Tee and Larry David pillow

Both vendors and a ton more will be at the 2nd annual Parkdale Then & Now Festival this Saturday July 23, 2011 – a giant celebration of everything Parkdale!

What’s Going On:
-HUGE Sidewalk Sale (200 businesses)
-Classic Car Show
-Buskers
-Community Performance Stages
-Triller Avenue BBQ Zone
-Skateboard Installation @ Dowling Avenue
-Fuller Avenue Kid’s Zone
-O’Hara Street Party
-Elm Grove Summer Market
-1303 Parkdale Bazaar
-Dufferin Amphitheatre Performance Zone

FYI:

“In the run to find the perfect go-to fashion piece, jeans always come out on top, no matter what season or year. Find your own style through a fashion flashback with today’s TeamBuy: $12 for $25 in designer vintage denim at House of Vintage.

At House of Vintage, you’ll find that sought-after pair of denim and more. Like a perfectly hand-picked wardrobe that has built up quite a reputation over the years, each item at their unassuming Parkdale location is treated with care and effortlessly displays timeless fashion trends that anyone could carry. Owner and man-about-town Dennis Adamidis and his team of stylists and magazine editors are always on the pursuit for chic, worn-in items that can be staples in any girl or guy’s wardrobe. In a warm and inviting space, today’s deal of $25 can go a long way to filling up fashion-lovers closets with hot-off-the-runway looks from Spring/Summer – vintage denim. Armani, Celine, Alexander Wang and Chloe have all been rocking the look this season, and now you can too, with that perfect pair of jeans that satisfies every clothes craving. A ‘must-have’ article that transitions through every season, with today’s deal, it has never been easier to embrace the trend and find your fit. Whether looking for simple and chick or funky and distressed, denim is always leaving its mark on the fashion world, in years past and future.

For up to the minute fashion advice, don’t forget to check out House of Vintage’s blog, by clicking here.”

http://www.teambuy.ca/mississauga/28132212/

Today’s online vintage shops have really stepped up their marketing game with not only providing quality picked merch, but by providing photos and style ideas to give potential buyers a idea how to wear items.

After all, it takes talent to be able to sift through old, second-hand items and envision an awesome outfit.

Boat People Vintage, a Quebec City based online vintage stop, does most of the work for newbie vintage buyers – Check out the photos and great style ideas. But you better hurry, stuff goes very quick! (not everything shown is still available)

Just a little colorful eye candy on another frigid, foliage-less day!
These are but a few of the gorgeous, designer vintage dresses at online retailer Shrimpton Couture ‘Luxury Vintage Reconstructed Pieces and Couture’. There are so many beautiful designer dresses, headpieces, necklaces, shoes and bags with new pieces coming in all the time – and even if you can’t afford most of the prices, it’s worth a look to see some great vintage prints and cuts.

ShrimptonCouture.com:

1970s Pink Print Bessi Gown $1500 | 1970s Pink Halter Paganne Dress $425
1980s Floral Ungaro Cocktail Dress $775 | 1980s Vicky Tiel Couture Silk Dress $725
1980s Judy Hornby Couture Dress $325 | 1970s Hanae Mori Silk Print Gown $1200
1980s Rose Print Mignon Dress $200 | 1960s Bombshell Ceil Chapman $625

What do you get for the person who has everything? Everyone has everything so this question gets more tricky each gift-giving season. However, something that hangs on the wall is an idea – it doesn’t take up much space and doesn’t add to people’s clutter.

I found these on allposters.ca – an awesome site with thousands of art prints and posters. Another great idea for prints and posters is museum stores.

I love (some) online vintage shops! Boat People is two gals from Quebec City with an eye for coveted vintage. Cool site >>