Toronto shopping

Ok, got sidetracked by that baby deer yesterday, but here, as promised, is a post about the shopping I did in T.O. on our childfree day in the city. We started out in Leslieville, which can be found on Queen Street East. I'm more of a Queen Street West kinda girl, at least, historically that's where I always go when I'm in Toronto. But I must say, I really enjoyed Queen East. Its a great mix still of fun swanky upscale shops and divey little joints that have been there forever. So its on its way to being gentrified, but is not quite there yet. Which I like. 

One of the standout shops for me was this place called Ethel. They also have a blog here. The owner was super nice, and had great stuff, and gave me a sweet deal on this fabulousness:

Because of course, even though we did not have the baby with us, he is never far from our minds. And with his love of little chairs, I could not pass this one up. It was marked $55 (!), and I commented to the owner "Its gorgeous, but I just could not justify spending that much money on something that my son will drag all over the house and eventually maybe even break! If it was 20 bucks I'd take it for sure." And I was just kind of being flip, not thinking at all that she'd sell it for $20. But then she said "Its yours!" and I was all like "ok!" And I know there are certain of you, dear readers, that are thinking that's too much to pay for a kids chair. But I LOVE it. Its adorable, and not like those crappy plastic kids chairs that you buy at the toy r us. As I walked down the street with is for the rest of the day, three separate people asked me where I bought it. Also, the Baby loves it. It was my second best purchase of the day.  

I also got this lovely vintage knitting pattern to add to my already way to large collection of vintage knitting patterns. I love that its the "fun" way to learn to knit. I guess their brochure entitled "The Arduous and Painful Way to Learn Knitting" didn't go over so well. 

This globe was in another store, whose name I don't recall. And I didn't buy it. But I had to take a picture (even though it is blurry). Isn't it awesome? Its very... James Bond somehow. Its how I imagine the solution to the problem of an evil super villain who planned to over heat the world with a giant laser would look. Does that make sense? You know what I mean.

Later in the day we went to Queen Street West, and did some more poking around in vintage shops. There were a couple of very little stores close to the corner of Queen and Dovercourt, and kind of attached to the Katherin Mulherin gallery. I did not get the name of the first one (bad blogger! but it was the end of a long day of walking) but the thing I loved about it was tha they had the funniest price tags. Here's an example:

bahaha. I love it. Also I nearly bought these cups below just because the tag (down at the bottom right of the photo) was so awesome:

It creates such a strong visual, you almost want to buy them just for the story of it. But cooler heads prevailed. I need more vintage dishware like a hole in the head.  

One of the most interesting shops that day was a little place called 'The Melissa'. (Funny, all these vintage places with women's names. I'm sensing a theme) It was a tiny little store, but had a lot of great stuff. This picture doesn't really do it justice. All vintage stores are full of old things, and many from a similar era, but despite that, each store really has a different personality, for lack of a better word. I guess that explains the person's-name-as-store-name-thing. Anyhow, this store felt like the store I would have, if I had a vintage store. I wish. I totally recommend having a look if you are in the city. Anyhow, it contained my Best Purchase of the Day. Behold, my new favourite dress:

Sigh. I just LOVE it. I knew it was coming home with me the moment I laid eyes on it. Its not in perfect condition, by any means, and has some staining, and it is a leetle tight in the bust, but, come on, isn't that pattern to die for?     

And I love the colours. LOVE THEM. Or should I say 'colour'. That crisp black and white with the avocado green  - fantastic. 

Now that I work in retail, I don't buy much clothing (except from where I work. Its the double edged sword of the awesome discount) so this little dress feels even more exceptional. It'll need some careful stain removal, and maybe a little alteration in the bodice, but honestly, just looking at these pictures again makes me happy. What can I say, I'm easily pleased. 

Comments

[Melissa Levin]

Hi it's Melissa from The Melissa. you look fabulous in the dress! WOWOWOWOW so happy you are enjoying it. it suits you and shoes just round it out perfectly.
thanks for the lovely post and hope to see you and your readers in Toronto soon.
Melissa
1080 Queen Street West @ Dovercourt.

[Leni]

Love the dress!! Although there is something to be said for slacks and jeans (which I love to wear) , there is nothing as feminine as the dresses of the 50's! How I loved my full-skirted , bodice-flattering dresses whenI was a teen. I always felt so special and "dressed-up"! The belly-showing, low-rise shorts, and short , short tops just don't measure up to a dress like that one. O.K. I know I'm showing my age---but , hey, that's how I feel.

[kendra]

holy moly - that dress is OUTSTANDING!!! i hope you have many opportunities to wear it (like every friday? every trip to the city? every morning?) WOW!!!!!! you look awesome.

[steph]

Oh, whoa. The dress is so awesome and you look magazine worthy in it!!

Also, I would have had the hardest time not leaving with those ghost cups. Mmm.

[finger thumb]

Aw thanks guys! And I'm so honoured that Melissa herself stopped by to comment. I'm glad you left the proper address Melissa, so that if any of my readers are in T.O. they can drop by. So worth it!
Steph, those Ghost Cups are totally you!
And Kendra, inspired by you, I'm going to try and make every friday morning a vintage dress-up opportunity.