Thrifted Thursday: Three Reasons I Love Vintage

          Everyone pretty much by now knows my deep and abiding love of second hand clothing- I love to shop for it, find it, take it home and breath new life into it. Vintage shops are my favourites- the place to find the most interesting and stunning pieces. Second hand shops come in a close second- great places to find basics like jeans at low prices- occasionally the consummate thrifter can score the rare vintage piece at places like Value Village- less and less so these days. Clothing Swaps- possibly one of my all time favourite events- you take a bag of items you are no longer interested in wearing- throw them into a pile- and come out with bags of clothing someone else didn't want any longer- for free!

      For me the number one reason shopping Thrift and Vintage stores is better than hitting the mall is the interest factor- as a lover of all things beautiful and interesting I want my wardrobe to reflect that. Shopping pre-loved clothes allows me to curate an interesting wardrobe full of one of kind pieces that belong to me alone- yeah I like to be unique. My real love is Vintage stores- not to be confused with Thrift stores- shopping Vintage is literally stepping back in time and cherry picking from the decades what you love best.

     The second reason is the environmental factor- once a new item of clothing leaves the factory where it was produced it has been coated in a number of chemicals- all of which are bad for you- one of which I have an extreme sensitivity to- formaldehyde. Chemicals to deter bugs and pests during transport- chemicals for fire retardant- chemicals to starch the fabric smooth for the retailer- just too many chemicals for me!

     Also the waste factor comes into play - almost all companies today over produce- fast fashion as it's come to be known as is common place with retailers hedging their bets on consumers shopping once a week. There are now 52 seasons of clothing as opposed to what used to be four- new garments hitting the mannequins once a week to keep consumers desiring new things. So many of those textiles ending their lives in a landfill of discount thrift store- or worse headed for a third world country. Did you know that much of North America's second hand textiles are shipped to third world countries under the guise of "aid"- the result is that those local economies are affected because the local dress maker or tailor is put out of business when the towns are flooded with our left overs.

      The Third reason to shop vintage is simple the thrill of the hunt- prowling the racks for the one item that jumps out at me and begs to be taken home. Over the years I have garnered some real scores- an antique beaded hand bag from the 20's for a song- a brocade designer hand bag from the 50's New York and my all time favourite my Bakelite bangle! When I go shopping I have to head out with an open mind and a lose list- I have an exact idea at this point what my style is so while I can examine and wow over beautiful vintage gowns I no longer feel the need to bring them home with me- I can admire things and pass them along. The feeling of shopping like this is such a rush- the excitement of finding the perfect item- examining the well constructed garments and the heavy fabrics- this is truly why I love to shop vintage!

Simple Shopping Guide

         As much as I love to make gifts for giving I will be doing a small amount of shopping this holiday season- I'm keeping it local and visiting a few of my favourite haunts in and around Vancouver. Picking out special treasures by some of my favourite artists and makers- lots of yummy goodies to eat and pretty things to look at! With so many craft markets and events going on I thought I would give you my pick of the local pack- this is where I will be doing my shopping- and it's happening this weekend!

1. Rebecca Chaperon's Eerie Dearies is now available in person- check out Rebecca's web site for ordering details- I have been drooling over this project for months now and am so happy to finally be getting my hands on a copy- just in time for Holiday giving! Eerie Dearies is a collection of ABC illustrations bound together in a wonderful coffee table book.

Also perfect for giving are any number of Rebecca's original mini iceberg water colours- each more special than the last- it can be hard to pick just one!

 2. Shiny Fuzzy Muddy- the awesome collective of artists that make up Shiny Fuzzy Muddy are celebrating their 10th anniversary this year with yet another stellar line up at their show this weekend- Dec 14 & 15-located at Heritage Hall on Main street this show is really filled with vendors on the who's who of design in British Columbia. A few of my favourites are Cathy Terepocki- amazing graphic ceramics, Astrosatchel- vinyl totes and Dear Pony- loads of beautiful goods for the house and body!

     I am quite sure shopping the Shiny Fuzzy Muddy show will be an exercises in "one for you one for me"- I do tend to buy Christmas gifts for myself to put under the tree! The hours of this sale are very generous- Saturday 11- 9pm and Sunday 10-7pm- admission is free!

3. Le Marche St George- Winter Pop Up Shop- located in the garage beside the cafe and store this is a collection of carefully curated home goods and clothing from the folks with impeccable style- also available are a collection of my favourite ceramics from Janaki Larsen. The Pop Up Shop is open on weekends as well as by appointment during the week. Head on in for a look at some of the most beautiful linens and wovens for the home before heading into the cafe for a latte and the latest issue of Kinfolk!

4. The Steveston Winter Market- Perhaps I am a tad biased but I am really excited about this Farmer's Market- you know since I will be there with a table full of Plain Jane paper and home goods! While I am busy with my wares the Mr. and Little will be stocking up on all sorts of market goodies for our own celebrations as well as to give as gifts. The Winter Market is located at the Gulf of Georgia Cannery and is open from 10- 3 pm on Sunday Dec 15- hope to see you there!

5. Community Thrift and Vintage- 311 Carrall street- this is my all time favourite go to vintage store- Community carries such an array of beautiful vintage finds as well as plenty of great items for the home- stop in to check out their collection of vintage Bay blankets or pick up a stunning outfit for New Years Eve!


        Friends it is Friday- I know I am posting exceptionally late today but only because we were in the Emergency Room with a bad case of the croup last night- I thought The Boy was having an asthma attack but it was the croup- now that we know what it is I feel better prepared to deal with it- he is fine and recovered with a full stack of pancakes this morning! I think last night was a good reminder for our family to keep things simple this Holiday season- our weekend will be filled with only the most essential of errands and events- the rest will be spent playing! Wishing you the happiest of Fridays dear Friends- I am now off to have my third latte of the morning!

Birds of A Feather- Set Up Shop Together

      I know I'm always going on and on about how many talented folks I am blessed to know- this is only because it is completely true! Working in the arts community it is just natural to become close with many of the artists working along side you- ditto for the craft market community- I have met and become friends with some incredibly talented artisans. Recently a few of us put our heads together 

(OK really it was all Margot's idea) and decided to host a one day open house trunk show- three amazing businesses under one roof for one day- sounds exciting doesn't it!

     This coming Saturday for one day only- as I mentioned- Crystal Connections, Catch My Drift Words and Plain Jane Designs are coming together with some of our most fabulous items. This is an invite only event but if you are local and want to do some shopping- snagging an invite and all the details couldn't be easier- simply click on any of our business links to our Facebook pages and then drop us a private message! There are going to be some real goodies for sale on Saturday- I thought I would give you a sneak peek and an introduction of each of these talented ladies!

     Margot is a Registered Massage Therapist who also happens to be the creative force behind Crystal Connections. Coming from a healing background she is always interested in various methods of healing. She began researching and using the healing stones in her own life and saw the shift in her own emotions and energy. It was then that she knew she had to share her passion and knowledge for healing stones with the world.

      Margot designs one of a kind jewelry , crystal chakra sets and cat collars with all with healing stones. Margot is amazing at reading people's energy and intuitively knowing just what stone an individual needs in their life. Lots of yummy Crystal Creations will be available this Saturday- ROCK YOUR LIFE!

 
   Leona from Catch My Drift Words took her enjoyment of beach combing to the next level with the creation of her business- in her own words:

"I took a beautiful piece of driftwood when at the beach with my two girls- without knowing exactly what I wanted to do with it. I knew I wanted to do something with it. About a week or two later, my mom made me go to a yoga class with her to do something for myself and to just relax (working mom of two... doesn't happen often!)

 While I was supposed to be meditating and have a clear mind the word "calm" kept repeating in my thoughts. Then I though of my lovely piece of drift wood and thought that the word calm would be perfect painted on there... thus making it a Drift Word!"

 
  All wood has been collected by Leona and her girls on the Sunshine Coast. She used a line of locally made chalk paint- Fat Paint- for all the text and varnishes each piece to keep the words integrity. Each Drift Word is finished with a hanger on the back making this instant art for any space.

"I have always loved creating things and the outdoors... this combines the two perfectly. I love the time collecting and painting the Drift Words, that help me forget about the everyday craziness of life"

     Of course if you are a regular reader here you will have by now become immune to my almost weekly studio updates- this week has been no different- lots of busy making in the studio- AKA the kitchen table! I thought though that I would take a minute to speak about what Plain Jane is and how it has evolved over the years. I am for all intensive purposes a "painter" I love to paint but when I had babies I was really concerned about the use of solvents and pigments around their little bodies- so I stopped and turned to collage- which was fun and creative and filled all my needs as well as being much more gentle on those little growing brains.

     Plain Jane Designs started as a means of sending those collages out into the world- I love the concept of mail art and thought that a greeting card company would be a little like a giant mail art project! This is how my home business began- I collaged and then started incorporating screen printing while my babies napped- I sold my cards casually to my friends and family- then started an Etsy shop- the rest is kind of history!

    Over the years my process has changed and new products have been added- I'm always growing and looking for new ideas to incorporate into Plain Jane. This year things have really started to take off- I am incredibly proud of what I am creating- not only with my cards which are the back bone of what I do- but with my totes, pillows, tea towels and just the general feeling of what Plain Jane is!

 
 Plain Jane speaks to a slower life filled with lovely, high quality items that you will have for a long time- even the cards can linger for months or years! Every item is made with love and joy in my home studio- which by now you all know is the kitchen table! Plain Jane has allowed me to do what I love and remain at home with my Littles- which I feel is the greatest part of this whole deal!

    I really hope to see some of you lovely readers out this Saturday- we all know the Holiday's are approaching- we mock Costco for having Christmas trees in July but now really is the time to start thinking and shopping. Get everything wrapped up before the start of December so you can sit back and enjoy all those parties or just quietly snuggle in by the fire place. Saturday's open house is an excellent opportunity to get out and do a bit of shopping in a calm environment all the while supporting three local businesses!

P.S. we will be accepting cash, Visa & Mastercard

My Girl & I

     Miss Lo is almost four- in a few short months- time has gone by so fast and yet not fast at all- I can only attribute this to my obsession with monitoring time- I am acutely aware and always have been of it's passing. Miss Lo and I do not get much one on one time these days- we never really have- The Boy is always around- so when we get the chance for some Momma- Miss time we grab onto it and do something uber girly!

        It might seem a bit cliche to go shopping with my daughter- I don't really want to bond with her over excessive consumption- however exploring our neighbourhood shops on a quiet Friday morning after yoga feels so right. We wandered through Gastown poking our noses into design shops and boutiques that our men folk want no part of- and that is what makes it so special.

       

      I watch my young lady changing from a wee babe- to a crazy toddler and now into a fearless kid- observing how she interacts with shop keepers- what she likes and doesn't as her style and taste start to develop. This kid is pretty special- she is clever and quick like Mr. Fox! I still can't get over that this little soul chose us- we are so very lucky!

Nesting

 

   
  As mentioned in yesterday's post I have that nesting feeling- the desire to refresh our space- infuse it with some newness and warmth for these coming months. Here's the deal- as the stay at home parent I spend a great deal of time with in these walls during the winter months. To make matters even more complicated as an artist I get bored easily and am in a constant state of re- invention- often this involves furniture moving. No furniture moving occurred this weekend but between my trip to Spruce Collective on Saturday with Lovely Cousin Laura and a brief trip to the States yesterday I managed to gather a few new treasures to freshen up our space.

      From Spruce Collective I purchased a cozy vintage wool rug with multiple shots of colour through out- this will prove ideal for what ever colour I end up painting our kitchen table. I totally admit I can envision this in the kitchen of my dreams- casually strewn out on barn board floors maybe in front of a porcelain farm house sink- a girl can dream right! Anyways back to reality- my other treasure from Spruce Collective was this funky little multi coloured globe- yes it has the U.S.S.R. on it and Nunavut is missing from Canada- our kids might get confused by that but I think it is a charming addition to their globe collection!

    Yesterday was another stormy day and so we hopped in the car and headed across the boarder- the only solid stops on our list were Trader Joe's and Target- now normally I am not a fan of big box stores but Target always has such great house wares! I scored myself this awesome Poison toss pillow which I think looks great in my favourite orange chair but The Boy claims he wants it for his bed- maybe we can share. Another fantastic find was this Smith & Hawking lantern- a solid hurricane vase surrounded in lovely "aged" wood- I was looking for something substantial for at our entrance way and this fits the bill!

      I have a few other projects up my sleeve to cozy up our space- some furniture painting and screen printing of fabric- and always more thrifting. I think this year we might also put up some curtains- this will be a big step for us- a move that suggests some permanence- if only temporarily! We are also starting to think about replacing our sofa- yes a big purchase, but as anyone who has sat on our couch in the past year or so can attest to it is much needed! Making a home out of a rental space can be a tricky thing but I feel bit by bit this place is starting to feel just like us!

Spruce Collective and a Really Great Sandwich

     We all knew it was coming- the rain- what feels already like a never ending amount of rain- it's like Mother Nature is getting caught up for those forty plus days we had glorious sunshine. It was abrupt and sudden but we are adapting- and part of that adapting is starting to nest in for the winter. Retreating or hibernating snugging up our homes for the long months we are about to spend inside!

     It was with this is mind that my Lovely Cousin Laura and I headed out in an epic downpour on Saturday to check out a new home interiors store out in the suburb of Abbotsford. Spruce Collective opened it's doors a few weeks ago and judging the amount of traffic in their on Saturday I would say they have hit the nail on the head! This store is a wonderful collaboration between five friends who obviously share a passion for collecting and design. 

     Filled with a collection of lovely treasures- mostly vintage, a fantastic line of jewelry, and tonnes of great pillows, cards, candles and lets not forget the CeCe Caldwell paints! It was difficult to pare down my purchases and I will most definitely be heading back for some of the amazing paint- after four years of kid abuse our dinning table could do with a lick of this self- priming paint. 

     The ladies of Spruce Collective have put together beautiful little vignettes everywhere you look- the vintage crib piled with amazing pillows- yes! The antique cupboard with beautiful dresses- the fantastic chairs snugged up beside a pile of books. These gals have the art of display down to a science and it doesn't stop at the front of the store- The Workshop is a little room off the back of the shop that is chock a block full of vintage props and available to rent out for photo shoots- when we were there a lucky bride and groom came in from the weather to capture their day in style.

    

  

       We could not leave Abbotsford with out exploring around a bit- we caught the last few minutes of a very soggy Farmer's Market and checked out the local thrift store, then onto Birkeland Brother's Yarn- where I got tonnes of information on a new project( more on the later). After the extensive drive out to the Valley followed by all that retail therapy Lovely Cousin Laura and I were feeling a bit peckish and headed up the street to grab a bite at the Roasted Grape- I had a the most delish roast beef sandwich. Having never really explored Abbotsford I have say I was pleasantly surprised- the downtown area is really quaint- good shopping and tasty restaurants- plus there is free parking! 

     Today has dawned all soggy and grey- more rain is predicted for this afternoon. It feels like the perfect excuse to tuck in and play with my new goodies acquired over the weekend. I am going to bring out all my warm blankets and pillows that have been away all summer- put the flannels sheets on the beds and really just start nesting into this space where we will be spending more and more time in the coming months. Check in through out the week to see my progress- I will share my treasures from Spruce Collective as well as a fun project!

It's a table runner! A.K.A. something for Mamma

    This past Saturday I got to do something that I never get to do, I haven't done this in months- possibly in years. I went shopping by myself! I didn't really need anything in particular although I had the vague idea that since my Birkenstocks had cracked in half I should look for some new sandals. At any rate 10:00 am on Saturday morning found me getting dropped off on the side of the road in the middle of my favourite shopping street- South Granville! Eeee! thats right I squealed!

    The Mr. had taken the kids for a hair cut and a movie so I felt like I was in no rush to get home, I tried on clothes till my little hearts content. And didn't buy anything. I hit all my favourite interior's stores looking for inspiration to freshen up our space. I am in our home a great deal- I would say I am often home 20 hours a day. So I am constantly looking for ways to spruce the place up and make it interesting, similar to our nature collection our home is a constantly evolving exhibition.

     A wonder through Restoration Hardware was a breading ground of ideas for me. Also known as inspiration or appropriation in the arts world but more commonly known by the rest as stealing of ideas. Thats right folks I get my ideas from other places, things I see and love then change to make my own! I don't come up with this stuff on my own!

     At Restoration Hardware there was a plethora of "hand made" quilts and throws on sale, lots of linen, and loads of neutral tones. I let all this inspiration ferment for a few days and yesterday while my babes were chilling out in the shade on a hot afternoon I came up with this little table runner. I had a whole bunch of left over grey linen from a top I made a while ago, I pieced it together in a fun way- part of the goal was to use up as much scrap as possible. I backed the whole thing with a piece of sturdy Belgian Artists Linen.

      My last stop of the day on Saturday was one of my favourite stores- The Cross Decor & Design- on the corner of Davie and Homer in Yaletown. I love this store and if I could just sit one of their chairs and smell the candles and look at beautiful books and people all day I surely would! The cute little succulent pictured above came home with me as did some John Robshaw tea towels. The lantern pictured is also from there but from last summer.

    Now our deck is almost the oasis I am dreaming of- the final step is to sand and paint the coffee table, maybe put some new castors on it, paint the planters, get a new run, sew some cushions.... "Love Where You Live"!