Sundays are becoming Fundays!

Sundays have just become more fashionable!

Now every Sunday from 1-6pm, MADAM Vintage will now be open for your shopping pleasure. Previously appointment only, you can now browse in the cute store that carries Canadian eel skin shoes and cowboy boots straight from Calgary!

If Sundays are not good for you, just contact musical theatre actress turned vintage store owner, Cara Leslie at 647-348-2264 and she will be happy to make an appointment.

Enjoy!

Amanda

A Day in the Life: MADAM Vintage

This past Monday I had the joy to help musical theatre actress and entrepreneur, Cara Leslie prepare her store, MADAM Vintage for an upcoming interview with the Toronto Star. As soon as I walked into the cute space at Gladstone and Stonehouse, I knew that this shop was full of potential.

There was a selection of men's clothing including old school trucker hats, plaid shirts, '70's style tees and super-soft leather jackets. (You gotta love a guy in a leather jacket) The woman's selection had several Chanel-inspired tweed blazers, a purple snakeskin skirt and tons of accessories made of buttery smooth eel skin.

As I helped merchandise and organize the wide array of sweaters, dresses and more, Cara was able to tell me a little about the unique pieces that she has in her store. For example, most of the cowboy boots and eel skin accessories are from the Canadian prairie province of Alberta, most of the items in the store are Canadian and there are many pieces with a personal touch such as, a knit Hello Kitty sweater straight from the Harajuku district in Japan.

It's so nice to see a young entrepreneur feel so passionate and really believe in her store. It was great to work with her and I look forward to what the future holds for this great vintage spot!

Amanda

MADAM Vintage Grand Opening!

This Labour Day weekend come on down to 168 Gladstone Avenue and enjoy some lovely vintage. Madam Vintage & Nearly New presented by musical theatre actress, Cara Leslie will be having some exciting vintage finds to add some pizzazz to your Labour Day weekend. 

The store is located at 168 Gladstone Avenue between Dundas and Queen. For more information call 647-348-2264 or email madamvintageclothing@gmail.com. 

See you there!

Amanda

Sale! Sale! Sale!: Kensington Market

Starting today at 10am and ending tomorrow at 5pm there will be a..........VINTAGE YARD SALE!

Located at 10 Augusta Avenue this sale will have vintage clothing, accessories and shoes, Marc Jacobs, American Apparel and so much more!

Each day the sale will begin at 10am and end at 5pm so make sure to get down there as fast as you can! This uh-mazing sale is presented by the Retro Vendors so it is sure not to disappoint.

Check it out!

Amanda

Sale! Sale! Sale!: Doesn't everyone love a sale?

If you are looking for a good end of summer sale to brighten up that warbrobe and pick up some transitional pieces for fall, check out the Mendocino Outlet in the Beaches area near Queen Street East. 

Sale items are an additional 40% off and they already have a few trendy pieces that are perfect for fall. I tried a grey and black damask printed dress by Kensie Girl that would work great with tights, boots and some gold chains, as well as a fitted denim bondage skirt that is tres urban chic. Check out the Mendocino Outlet in the beautiful Beaches area and grab some pieces while you still can!

If you haven't already check out the Portobello East Market that I mentioned a few weeks back, http://amandasfashionspot.blogspot.com/search/label/Portobello%20East, make sure to check it out on Sunday, August 30th, 2009 and take advantage of their amazing sales! 

The Portobello East Market sells locally made products ranging from clothing to accessories to home items and they are currently available for up to 40% off. Some of my favourite items are bike and light switch plates by VintageLove. These plates are stainless steel and use decoupage images with a high gloss polyurethane finish to give the plates are a glossy look. Check them out at http://www.vintagelove.ca.  Another good one is Sui Generis, a clothing line that offers high-waist dresses, bubble dresses and rompers. Their pieces are an excellent choice for the end of summer and great to layer in the fall. Check out their online lookbook here, www.suigenerisclothing.net. 

If you are free on Sundays, don't forget to check out Portobello East in the Distillery Dictrict. For more information click here, www.portobelloeast.com. 

Happy bargain-hunting! Don't forget to come back here and share what you find. 

Amanda

Psychology, Sociology and Anthropologie: Yorkville's Latest Lifestyle

Ahhh I am in love! I just love a lifestyle a store. I love being able to find so many wonderful items all under one well-decorated roof, so you can imagine my excitement when I discovered the American lifestyle store, Anthropologie.

I first discovered the eclectic, home-y, vintage store on a trip to New York City and I fell in love. Filled with books, beautiful clothes and lovely scented candles I knew that a store like this needed to be in Canada and now it is. Smack dab in the middle of swanky Yorkville, welcome Anthropologie.

As you first walk in, you are welcomed by the sweet scents of its many candles, perfumes and soaps. They also sell kitchenware (think colourful printed plates and mugs) , crystal doorknobs and books such as, The Little Dictionary of Fashion by Chrisitian Dior.

Most importantly, Anthropologie sells clothes, lots and lots of beautiful clothes. The type of clothes that you can picture yourself wearing in a beautiful garden or sipping coffee at Starbucks. It was prints galore with colourful silk and jersey dresses. Thin and thick knit sweaters had me imagining my fall wardrobe along with the pleated high waisted skirts.

I absolutely love this store for it is so inspiring. There is something new and exciting everywhere you turn and it is the perfect place to get lost and shop on a rainy day. In need of a few new things? Head over to 80 Yorkville and start exploring.

Amanda

Old book + Fabric - Pages = Pocket Books by Noelle Hamlyn

Have you ever been in search of the perfect book bag? Well, look no further because pocket books are here.

Created by textile artist, Noelle Hamlyn pocket books are small handbags created by vintage books. After removing the pages of household books such as Beatrix Potter's Peter Rabbit and Tin Tin, Noelle replaces the pages with vintage fabrics linings and recycled belt straps that are used as handles.

Each fabric lining is specially chosen to fit the feeling of each book and the belt straps convert from over-the-shoulder to across the chest. These bags are the perfect accessory for a night at the movies or a visit to the museum. If you are interested in learning more about Hamlyn's unique purses, visit her website at http://www.noellehamlyn.com/.

Pocket books are relatively easy to make and if you are ever interested in making one yourself check out this link, http://www.wikihow.com/Make-a-Book-Purse.

Amanda

One Step Forward, Two Steps Back: A Review of Flashback

On a recent shopping with my mother we were in need of something unique and slightly formal. I decided to take her to Toronto's Kensington Market to give her a tour of the T.O.'s vintage clothing capital. We strolled down the narrow streets in the summer sun and stumbled upon Flashback.

As we walked, in we were instantly surrounded by tons and tons of gorgeous leather, vintage handbags (my favourite) whose origins spanned a number of decades. Surrounding the cash desk were cute belts and printed scarves cleverly placed in a vintage stroller. The accessories were tempting but we were on a mission for the perfect outfit for our upcoming special occasion. Towards the back you can find a number a printed '60's shift dresses, gold brocade dresses, fuller flared skirts and the list goes on.

My mother found a few clothing items to try on and happily sat in the big velvety couch chair located in the middle of the store ready to voice my opinion of each outfit Nina Garcia style. Each outfit looked great. My favourites were a pink floral dress with a scoop neckline and a printed fuller flared skirt reminiscent on 1950's Cuba. The lovely sales associate was very helpful always suggesting different outfits and reminded me of Alice Cullen with her short hair and pixie-like demeanor.

This was a successful shopping trip. I may not have ended up with anything but my mom sure did! It just goes to show you that in a cool, hip vintage store like Flashback there is a little something for everyone.

Amanda

Photo(s) of the Day

Selma Blair looks stunning in these looks by Versace. The colours are radiant and she exudes a glamorous sophistication. Bravo!

Amanda

Mona Lisa Smile: Raiding my Auntie's Closet

My mother and I are visiting my lovely aunt (which I will refer to as Mona Lisa) and doing something I always remember doing, "shopping" in her closet. Today, Mona Lisa is showing some of her latest beautiful clothing finds. A silky red and white polka dot blouse that would look great on any fashionable lady, a white Chanel-inspired handbag and corkscrew wedges. Mona Lisa is very happy to show us her newly renovated closet lined with inspiring fashion looks. My mother and I are also excited because (at the time) we have an exciting trip to New York City coming up and generous Mona Lisa is always very giving. At this shopping trip, I get a beautiful pink floral bracelet and my mother receives the silky red and white polka dot blouse I mentioned. That was a good shopping trip.

I have always loved watching Mona Lisa happily show my mother, my other aunt, my grandmother and myself all her beautiful items, for she would always do it with a smile. Her enthusiasm and knowledge reminded me of one of those ultra stylish saleswomen in Holt Renfrew that you always wish you could be like when you grew up. When I was little, I used to go into Mona Lisa's room and love what was around me. Her dressers were filled with bottles of perfume, cosmetics, beautiful jewellery and sweet mementos, her room always smelt fresh with a whiff of sweet perfume and her collection of clothes was everlasting. (In fact it was so big that she had two!)

Mona Lisa's interest in fashion began when she was a just a little girl, where she would lie on the floor and watch her grandmother, who was a seamstress, sew. Her grandmother's fashion sense passed down onto her and Mona Lisa still has a crotchet jacket and gorgeous Chinese silk jacket (in impeccable condition) that was given to her by her grandmother in the 1960's. It was from a young age that Mona Lisa learned so many of her fashion tips, that still ring true today. Among them were: always buy quality items because it will last forever, if you ever see something you love buy it because you may never see it again and always value style over brand. The last rule Mona Lisa has definitely always stayed true to. She mixed high and low pieces before it was ever in style. Mona Lisa can always find items in Winners, Holt Renfrew, The Bay, vintage stores, Victoria's Secret and even the dollar store! No matter where Mona Lisa has found her items they have all been beautiful, special and glamorous.

Some of my favourite shopping trips to Mona Lisa's closet include when I received a black and white polka-dot halter dress that is very Marilyn Monroe, when I got a black Chanel-inspired handbag (which I love and wear everywhere!) and when I got a rectangular emerald green suede purse. Whenever my mother or other aunt need a new item for any special event they never forget to stop by Mona Lisa's closet and each "shopping" trip is never a disappointment. One time when my mother went, she was able to borrow a black sequined blouse that was to die for!

As I write this I feel so lucky to have such a stylish aunt that I can always gain fashion inspiration from. It is even more inspiring to always see her so enthusiastically talk about her beautiful pieces and never without a Mona Lisa smile.

Do you have an individual in your life that you have found inspired your own fashion choices?

Amanda

Trinity Bellwoods Park + Saturday Afternoon = A Vintage Sale!

For those of you that are in the mood for a little Saturday shopping be sure to stop by Trinity Bellwoods Park on Saturday, June 13th, 2009. Between 9am and 5pm you will be able to find a great selection of 1980's vintage clothing.

The clothing will be sold by talented musical theatre actress, Cara Leslie who is also the owner of MADAM, a vintage clothing store. The sale will include 1980's eel skin boots, jewellery, blazers and gowns.

So if you are a lover of all things vintage and a wardrobe reminiscent of Madonna, Debbie Harry and Dynasty circa 1984, be sure to stop by!

Amanda