vintage earrings ~ shop

You know that feeling when you are thrifting and there's something so good, you can't let it get away? Even though you really don't need it, or it is maybe not QUITE your style? I get that urge a lot. I love thrifting and collecting, but have to be conscious of not hoarding. My solution? Starting a little vintage section in my shop! The House of Ell shop now has vintage earrings listed!

I've already sold a few, which is really exciting! And there's more to come. As you all know, I am a big proponent of sustainability in fashion. As much as possible, I advocate for buying second hand and vintage to avoid encouraging/supporting/funding the creation of new, easily-disposed-of pieces. Alternatively, hand made! Unfortunately that is all-too-often out of my budget, so I really believe that second hand is an accessible option for living fashionably a little more sustainably. The House of Ell shop is my start at contributing to that, beyond just as a consumer!

So have a lookie at the Shop let me know what you think, and maybe keep me in mind should you need some new jewellery sometime!

~ CLICK HERE to get to the House of Ell Shop! ~

decor day dream ~ march

With my room mate moving out at the end of this month, I am in the bittersweet position of having to find some new pieces for my space (bitter because... I'm going to miss her. sweet because, an opportunity to thrift and decorate anew!).

~ I am OBSESSED with these Bodum Nissen ball salt and pepper shakers that I discovered while browsing Etsy. This particular seller, Made in Scandinavia.Net has several of them listed.... so tempting!

~ I have already found myself a thrifted set of 4 pink drinking glasses, but I'm loving the coloured glass thing right now so I am possibly looking for more. I just loved this beautiful photograph from this Etsy listing.

~ Minna has one of my favourite instagram accounts to follow and their online shop is chock full of beautiful goodies. I love the sunny tone of their Panalito runner in gold!


Ok, that concludes this morning's day dream (at least, I'm going to try to focus on something other than those Bodum Nissen balls). What decor items are you daydreaming of lately?


~k


*ps. none of this is paid or sponsored, just sharing some groovy finds!

Window Shopping: A Warm Vacation

1 / 2 / 3 / 4

I have a confession: I've not been living in the moment in the present much lately. I've been daydreaming non stop about a family vacation we just booked to Aruba! It's several weeks away but I. Can't. Stop. Thinking. About. It.

Tonight it is snowing steadily and romantically, but I'm having a hard time feeling the magic and charm of Toronto's millionth winter wonderland appearance. The weather has me feeling some real S.A.D. feelings. Also, last week was a hard week, if you follow me on instagram you'll know that someone I was very close to at work, one of my friends with dementia, passed away. This is an inherent part of my work with persons with dementia, and it is always sad, but this particular one has hit me hard. I'm fine, and happy to have known her and spent so much wonderful time with her. But I've definitely been enjoying a bit of escapism by envisioning the trip to Aruba.

Of course, part of that day dream is all the fabulous beach and summer wear I'll be able to adorn myself with! Ahh, how I miss light fabrics and the freedom from layers. I miss feeling the breeze on my skin and actually enjoying it. I miss the warm sun. This window shopping outfit features two of my favourite online shops as of late: Hackwith Design House and Boheme Goods, handmade and vintage goodies respectively. I can't get enough of their pieces and finds.

Lately I've been really into beige and off-white. Something cloudy and dreamy about it, so even though I'm headed somewhere tropical I'm imagining lots of warm, light, breezy, airy tones. With a punch of orange/red, though! As with the little de tails on this adorable straw market bag. I've already bought myself a new bathing suit and I'm trying to limit myself to that one purchase for the month (an amendment on my year of thrift routine), so for now, just day dreaming and window shopping.

Have any of you been to Aruba? Any recommendations for things to see/do?
xx

Thrifty Outfit: Orange and Jeans

The weather has been fluctuating between blustery, grey and cold, and then some lukewarm days where I can wear my lightest jacket - the denim patchwork kimono from my last outfit post! Most of the time, though, I'm wearing my comfy cozy jackets with faux fur that wraps around my neck and cuddles my cheeks if I zip them up all the way. This is one of those jackets!

This outfit made me feel really faboo! I don't know if it was the headband, the flare pants, or the heels (which I never wear), but I felt pretty gussied up... while also casual. Either way I felt great!

(Jacket: Black Market Clothing | Headband: St Jacob's Market | Sweater: Thrifted | Flare jeans: Secondhand | Cowboy boots: Thrifted Bag: Handmade by Cass Moy)

Total Thrift Tally: 8/8

Wahoo, a perfect score! You can't see them, but the white blouse and necklace I have on here are also thrifted. Hence the 8/8 tally here. 

These jeans were a find from my grandma's barn, where lots of my mum and aunts' clothes were stored for decades! A few things fit me just so, so I've been wearing and cherishing them ever since.

Photos taken by my talented friend Annie Somers.

Window Shopping: Gold Statement Earrings

1. Fierce Deer | 2. Natalie Catalina | 3. Gibson Vintage Shop | 4. The Galvanic Flea | 5. Bario Neal

I went through a minimalist jewellery phase, where all I wanted were little studs in geometric shapes or cool designs. Always simple; understated. Somehow in the last six months or so, I've become absolutely enamoured with gold statement earrings! Earrings with cool shapes that are relatively simple in that they are for the most part, just gold. No gems, no tassels, no colours. Just engraved and/or uniquely shaped gold metal.

Here are a few of my favourites from some online window shopping. Some vintage, some handmade!

It's funny to reflect on my own "jewellery evolution". I also had a silver phase where I was soooo not into gold. I found it tacky and not good for me. I feel the exact opposite now! While I still like silver, I find I much prefer the warmth of gold.

How about you, are you more of a silver or gold kind of person?

Window Shopping || 19

(Jacket: Loose Goods | Horse Leg Necklace: Story Book Vintage | Sunflower Shirt: Pastel Fox | Plaid Linen Trouser: Morphew |  Snakeskin booties: Teybelo)

Yesterday, because the sun was out, I wandered to a few shops near my place. I went into my favourite thrift store here and bought some white plaid/grid cotton comfy pants, and though they are definitely not as structured or "nice" as the ones pictured here, I am really daydreaming about how I'd like to style them this summer! Perhaps for casual beach days or wandering around the city in the sun... ahhhh..

Also, how bizzare-o and awesome is the horse leg necklace? I am about THIS close to not just window-shopping it and actually snatching it up.... it's just too cool. Basically everything about this outfit is something I wish I could throw on TODAY! I've been aching to be rid of my winter boots and wear something cuter, like these snake skin booties. Or all-gold metallic booties. Something a little fun and wild!

As usual I am daydreaming about spring and summer. Can you tell? We got another heavy dose of snow this past weekend and I am trying so hard to be positive and not bitter about the weather, since it's inescapable, but DANG I am so done with the cold! What's the weather like in your neck of the woods?

Window Shopping || 18

Labyrinth Pendant: Mimosa | Embroidered Ankle Boot: Pastel Fox | Gingham Mini Dress: Loose Goods

It's officially FALL! I have mixed feelings about saying goodbye to an amazing summer and the warm sunshine on my skin, but I also really love the coziness of fall, and subsequently the fashion which I spoke a bit about in last year's "Year of Thrift Fall Update" post! I've been resisting the urge to shop at all, thrift or no thrift, trying to save my money as much as I can now that I'm not working as much. But my new apartment has several, fabulous looking thrift shops within walking distance.... uhm. SO dangerous, but I have yet to succumb to the urge. Check back with me in a month and we'll see if that's changed!

I've been admiring Mimosa's jewellery for maybe a few years now - and this labyrinth pendant is just 100% up my alley. Circles anyone !?(I love circles) It's also all about the small details for me these days; simple and unusual jewellery, little unique touches like the embroidery on these ankle boots, all to compliment a simpler "base" outfit. My wardrobe selection for school has proven to be "capsule" wardrobe style - few items, versatility, lots of neutrals and comfy favourites. It's been really nice to limit myself, I'm actually impressed by how little I miss my clothes back home. As such my jewellery collection has been important to me - though it is also minimal. I have about 3 necklaces, two rings, and 5 pairs of earrings with me.

Who would have ever thought I'd be little miss minimal with my fashion? Who are we kidding though... I'll probably dive headfirst back into my "at-home" wardrobe this weekend when I go back for work.... ha! But it's nice to know I can do it and not hate it.

What's on your fall wishlist?

Window Shopping || 16

(Handcrafted Leather Flat: Sevilla Smith | Classic 90's Denim Jacket: Loose Goods| 
White Fringe Crop Top: Persephone Vintage | Enamel Pins: Ann Somers)

The funny thing about spring in Canada is that it snowed yesterday and I'm still wearing my winter jacket. HA! Hilarious. I also like to blame this weather for all my ailments; currently a terrible sore throat and ache-y muscles that are keeping me from work. Ugh! Bring on the sunshine, please!

Anyway, I'm excited to bring out my denim jacket again. Especially now that enamel pins are SO in. I also happen to know some real cool artists making really cool pins out of their artwork. Bonus. These artichoke and brussels sprout plant pins are by my dear friend and talented artist Ann Somers. I'm totally obsessed and love that the brussels sprout plant kind of looks like a palm tree. This doesn't really count as window shopping for me since I own the artichoke one already... but I am eyeballing the other one to match...

I've been practically drooling on my phone ever since finding Sevilla Smith's instagram account. Her handcrafted shoes are the epitome of chic and effortless and everything about them makes them tickles my fancy. From her various 'neutral' shades to patterns to reptile textures, they really speak to me, and I love seeing shoe makers rockin' it in a market of fast fashion shoes that, let's admit it, are total crap.

Isn't this fringe top dreamy? I just imagine wearing it and dancing or swinging in the sunshine and letting the fringe wiggle with me. A happy, summer-y thought!


What are you lusting over lately?

Window Shopping || 13

(Cactus Flower Tote Bag: Idiopix | Vintage Wolf Eye Denim Jacket: Windy Peak Vintage | Black Suede Skirt: Token | Jasper Round Bead Necklace: Sew a Song)

Now that jacket and boot season is creeping up on us here, with a more-present breeze and chillier mornings, I've found myself on a slight western magic-desert-woman kick again when it comes to style! I crave my denim shirts and leather details, little booties, gold details. I love warm weather for comfort and sunshine, but I have to say fall is my favourite season for fashion! I'm very excited to put my collection of light jackets to good use while I can!

This tote-bag from Idiopix is something I may actually invest in for myself (I have such an affinity for retro illustrations of plants and such!), and the necklaces from Sew a Song make me think of little moons which I just LOVE. Two really good new shop finds!

What have you been lusting over lately?

xo

Window Shopping || 6

Floral Dress: Lucy Blue Vintage | Tribal Turquoise Necklace: Jessamity | White Mary Jane Shoes: James Rowland Shop

I don't wear as much floral anymore, but I used to be absolutely floral obsessed - I probably would have bought this light blue, adorable vintage dress in a heartbeat if highschool me saw it! I still have the very first shirt I ever thrifted back in Grade 10 or so. Surprise, it's floral! Maybe I'll include it in an outfit post soon.

Spring has me dreaming of florals and cute dresses again - gone are the days where I am restricted to darks and pants (I still wear them, but at least I have options!). We've had blue skies and sunshine this last week and I have been over the moon about it! I even broke out my cute little summer loafers from Paris for a celebratory dinner last night. My best friend Kami and I have both finished our undergrads and we thought it was worth dedicating a nice dinner and movie date night to. We had dinner on a patio, which got chilly when the sun went down, but it was nice while it lasted!

Has spring arrived around your part of town? I suspect the answer will be yes; Canada seems to be late to the game this year.

xo