Hello, My name is Lisa and I'm a Shop-aholic

Yes, I've been at it again. Spring makes me shop. I do it every year without fail. The spree will die down by June. It always does...

I've bought some more fabulous dresses in the last few weeks. I can't wait to wear them!!

Notice me holding the back of the dress so it appears to fit me!

I bought this lovely 50's dress at Ruby Slipper. It's a little big at the moment. I'll have it taken in. I just couldn't resist the cute crosshatch gingham-like fabric and knife pleat skirt. Plus, it still has it's original matching belt!

I lucked out with this one and bought it at Value Village. It was by no means a deal at $20 and needssome dry-cleaning, but it fits and the fabric is just gorgeous! The photos do not do this fabric justice. I want to call it sharkskin as it is two toned gold and green, but I'm just not quite sure if it actually is. Nonetheless, this dress is stunning (Betty Draper anyone?) and I'm praying for a formal event in my future so I can wear it.

This is another VV find. Perfect for hot summer days, espadrilles and a jean jacket in the evening. Love the border print.

This lovely set is from Vintage Glory (cue angel choir! Aaahh!!) It's from the same estate as the dresses I showed you here. That woman and I are sartorial soul mates. She has great taste!! Can't wait to wear this dress. And the bolero will be so cute with jeans and a tee.

Two more, non dress items:

Lovely 60's/70's's does 20's cloche fedora. It's in great shape. I've already worn it out a few times.

And, 70's suede shoes. So not my style. Too awesome to leave at Value Village. They do fit me. Who knows. Maybe I'll wear them.

So there it is folks. More stuff in my closet. Maybe it's time for an intervention. Or to set up my own shop somewhere! Haha!

Lisa.xo

And So it Begins (Plus an Outfit!)

This week is the first week of my newest stage managing job! I'm apprentice stage managing for Theatre Projects Manitoba. They're producing a new play called The Moonlight Sonata of Beethoven Blatz by Armin Wiebe (click the link for more info on the play!).
It's a short prep week. Rehearsals start on Friday and I'm still stage manging for The Gilbert & Sullivan Society until this Sunday. So it's a full week!
Today I'm off to meet the stage manager (a friend from university) so we can move supplies to and set up the rehearsal space.
And tonight I've got rehearsal for G&S.

Here's what I'm wearing today. Not very vintage, I know, but I'll be on my hands and knees this afternoon taping the set outline onto the floor of the rehearsal space. Not a job for a vintage dress.
The T-shirt and cardigan are new. The t-shirt is Joe Fresh (I just love thier clothes! So afordable. This tee was $12!!) and I bought the cardigan on sale at Jacob this week. I hate to pay full price for trendier pieces. And I think it'll look really cuted belted over a dress when our weather warms up.
It's just so darn cold here right now (are you sick of hearing me say that?!).

 

Oh yeah, and the runners are new too...they asked to come home with me...they were cute...I couldn't say no...

Mermaid Pendant: Pick Up Sticks Jewelry

Watch Brooch: Thrifted

Boat Neck Anchor Tee: Joe Fresh

Periwinkle "Boyfriend" Cardigan: Jacob

Jeans: Bootlegger

Diesel Runners: TownShoes

I'm so happy to be working in theatre again! It's like coming home! :)

Lisa.xo

All Dressed Up and Nowhere to Go

If you've been reading my blog for a while you know that I used to work at a local costume shop here in the city: Harelquin Costume and Dance. One of my favorite jobs working there was dressing the manequins.

Now that I have a pretty girl all my own, I dress her up quite frequently and admire her in my dressing room. I often test out new outfits this way.

Her latest outfit has got me over the moon. I'm quite taken with it and wish I had somewhere to wear it.

Blue 80's Hat: Salvation Army

Vintage Crystal Necklace: gift

Blue 40's Bird Brooch (I also have matching earrings!): Vintage Glory

50's/60's Blue Floral Dress: Hoopers

Lisa.xo

Here's What I Bought

Wednesday is currently ranking pretty high on the unofficial "Best Vintage Shopping Trip Ever" list.

For just over $100 I bought the following:

A set of small green ceramic dishes from Goodwill ($6 for the pair). I am addicted to painted ceramic dishes. (Or coloured glasswear! This addiction is hereditary. I get it from my mother) This addiction is also hightened if the dish happens to be green. I couldn't resist these guys. And I don't even know what I'll do with them yet.

I bought this stuff at Salvation Army.
Two blouses. Same blouse. Different colour ($3 each). Love the peter pan collar and the pintuck pleats in the front (please take note: more green). I can't wait to wear these tucked into a cute skirt this summer.

Banana Republic Camel Trench Coat ($20). I've had my eye out for something like this for quite some time. This is just perfect. And I love the colour. Plus, who can resist a great label at an awesome price? It's in great condition. Looks like new!

Couldn't resist this little cloth clutch ($2). I just love the closure on it.

I'm wearing this neat watch brooch today ($5). I'm hoping I can get the watch to work. I plan on taking it to a jeweler to get it cleaned and looked at. I'm totally enamoured with it.

I bought these dresses at Vintage Glory.
They made my day. Seriously. We walked in, Doug the owner was in and we exchanged hellos. He then told me he had been to an estate sale on the weekend where the entire second floor was like walking through a time machine into the 40's and he had dresses. Lots of dresses.
Then he let me into the backroom to see all of the stock he had bought at the estate sale before it hit the floor! Eee!! So good!

Pink 40's Sheath Dress with Matching Belt ($20).

Doug told me that the woman's husband was a tailor. Most of the dresses were hand made. They were/are just gorgeous. I tried on a few more dresses, but these ones spoke to me. I had to take them home.

50's House Dress with Patch Pockets ($20). I just love a good cotton summer dress. This print is just too sweet.

 

Navy 40's Sailor Style Dress and Matching Jacket ($30)

Not bad for $109 huh? I would have ended up with WAY less had I spent that at the mall. Plus, no one will be wearing the same thing as me!

Hello my name is Lisa and I'm a vintage addicted.

Lisa.xo

soap hearts . . .

satin & birch
soaps almost too lovely to use!

The Rest of the Goods

I hope you all enjoyed my luggage yesterday.

Here's the rest of the goodies I brought home:

I'm starting to amass a collection of enamel flower pins. I just love them.

The beaded clutch on top was $1.50 at Goodwill. I'm still learning about dating purses and clutches. I think this one may be 50's or 60's.
The one on the bottom I just couldn't leave at Value Village. It's a little dingy, but I just love the embroidery and the shape of the flap. This one I'm sure is 40's. The zipper and lining are a dead give-away. Maybe I can research how to clean it up a bit. Or maybe I should just leave well enough alone...I'm torn. It looks a lot better in the photo than it does in person.

Oh you fashion bloggers influencing me! It seems to me that everyone has a cute pair of vintage ankleboots that they wear with tights or socks and a dress. I've been on the hunt for a pair. The hardest part has been finding the right pair for my average size 8 1/2 feet. These are just PERFECT!! Everything I've been looking for! They will need to be re-soled soon, but I will probably wait for a few months. They also need a good cleaning as you can see. They're a bit dusty. Maybe some new laces too...
(P.S. you can see my suitcases stacked in the background!)

This wool skirt was a real steal at Goodwill. $5. I just love thier prices! The size is perfect. I love it! Can't wait to wear it! And it's reversable!!

Voila:

Two for one!

 The tags.

It's a size 16! It's a small 16! Even for a vintage skirt! I'm usually a vintage 12.

I actually bought one more thing I didn't photograph for you yet. I bought a very cute secretary-like 60's dress. I'll wear it soon and do an outfit post for you.

Lisa.xo

Porcelain dutch hearts . . .

porcelain hearts

decorated with traditional dutch delft technique

by

Harriet Damave

i do love blue china!