Adventures in Thrifting: Treasures from Colleen

Things have been a bit chaotic in the last few weeks, but there will always be time for blogging! Treasure Seeker Colleen sent me a box with these fantastic finds from the Value Village in Vancouver. Vintage belts (including one snakeskin belt!), dress, jewelry, flats and some basic office shirts. Nothing beats receiving some new accessories and wardrobe staples. I'll be wearing a new belt and the bangles today.  What were the last items you found thrifted?

Catching up: Boston Sightseeing Adventures and Survey Coming up!

Happy Friday everyone! Things have been really busy with travel and adventure lately! I didn't have time to really blog in Boston the way I would have liked, so I used the break to reflect and have some time away from blogging. Not long of course :) I'm going to be posting a survey in the next few days to get some feedback on Clothes Line Finds and more specifically hear more about what you are interested in seeing on the blog.

Until then, here are a few snaps from my Boston adventures. Boston is an amazing city and I can't wait to go back and see more :) Hope you all have a great weekend! I am off to Thunder Beach for a cottaging weekend.

B and G Oyseters - My favorite restaurant of the week!

Jasper White's Summer Shack

Newberry Street Shopping

Boston sites

Jewelry at the Boston Museum of Fine Arts

Samurai exhibit at the Boston Museum of Fine Arts 

1970 Ossie Clark design (Celia Birtwell pattern) at the 

Hippie Chic exhibit at the Boston Museum of Fine Arts 

1969 - Vintage Bestey Johnson 

My favorite of the exhibit - 1970's Barbara Hulanicki for Biba 

halter jumpsuit

Bought this amazing dress from my favorite vintage

store on Charles Street - Artifaktori

Shoes from Second Time Around (Charles Street)

At the Hippie Chic van at the Boston Museum of Fine Arts

Beautiful Boston harbor

Friday! Instagrams of the Week and Isabel Marant for H and M Sneak Peek!

Happy Friday everyone! A bit of a crazy weather week in Toronto, but full of excitement and events once again :) Here are a few of my favorite photos and events of the week.

Last night we traveled to Kitchener to see the finalists present their collections for the Mercedez-Benz start up competition. I met an outstanding group of talented people on the trek to the venue and will be sharing the results and more details about the event early next week. See a few of my favorite designers below.

The Guess holiday preview also took place this week. There were some great winter items, although in this heat I am sure most of you probably don't want to think about fur!

Last night I attended the Mercedez-Benz start up fashion show with

these amazing bloggers, journalists and entrepreneurs!

Left to right

Myself, Sharad of Freshly Educated Men, Pia, Julio of Fashion Nights, 

Janelle of The Scene in Toronto, Daniel, Hannah of Fajo Magazine,

Danielle of The Kit 

Forever 21 tank

Thrifted black and white top from Treasure Seeker Colleen

Drop crotch pants from Roppongi, Japan

Jessica Simpson pumps

Thrifted bangles and earrings

Guess Holiday Preview

And of course, link of the week? H and M has done it again! Another big designer collaboration set to be released November 14th, 2013. H and M released this sneak peek of Isabel trying on the latest collection and it went viral this week. While I haven't shopped at H and M for a while, I always love their designer collaborations and seeing everyone's designer purchases. Why shouldn't fashion be available to the masses? What are your thoughts on designer collaborations?

Nicole Bridger, Vancouver Designer Presents at The Roundhouse, Vancouver

Written by Colleen Tsoukalas (Treasure Seeker Colleen)

The Community arts Council of Vancouver invited us to join Nicole Bridger for a presentation about her very successful design business and her passion for sustainability through conscientious sourcing and production. A native of Vancouver, Nicole graduated from Toronto's Ryerson University, went to London, England to intern with Vivienne Westwood and came back home, luckily for us.

Sewing since grade 7, she has always wanted to be a clothing designer and to have her own business.  From Vivienne's "You can be whoever you are", Nicole has confidently pursued her own style and goals.  Her strong connection with nature is reflected in the natural, graceful draping and subtle colors of her clothing.  Love the titles of her collections, "I am Love" and "Safe to Love", and her latest, "Ready to Love", all lines of soft inviting materials that embrace and flatter the wearer. Her message is to love yourself and feel beautiful and really enjoy well made outfits that will last and will always look contemporary.  You don't need to overbuy or constantly shop, just enjoy being comfortable and stunning with natural, quality locally made clothing.

To succeed, Nicole has set clear, achievable goals.  She has had to be good at delegating (balancing, creating, running a business and being a mentor and mother)  She plans and uses her time wisely, so she can be at her best, always "Creating a story worth advertising" as she learned from Chip at LuluLemon.  She constantly credits others for their role in shaping hers and her skill at building community is evident in her presentations, her designs and her fashion shows.  I first saw her at ECO Fashion week last season (click here for post) and look forward to seeing her again, soon.

Thanks for a lovely evening, Nicole.

Nicole and Colleen

Photo by Lynn

Nicole Kidman for Jimmy Choo

Nicole Kidman is no stranger to being the face of popular luxury brand campaigns. With a history of representing brands like Chanel and Omega, it's perfectly fitting that she be the new face of Jimmy Choo, and with a new look too!

In the latest behind the scenes campaign video on Vogue UK she says she is "always partial to a thigh-high boot [and] definitely a boot girl". As you can see from the photos below, she rocks the boot and oversized coat look. Not sure if it makes me want the boots, coat or bag more!

Nicole plays a tougher role in these glamorous campaign shots; she wears dramatic make up and a fierce look. I love the tousled bob they have given her and of course the fabulous heels with simple but very chic looks that include the trench, the strappy black dress and the shapely oversized black coat. 

What do you think of the latest Jimmy Choo campaign?

Images via Vogue UK

Couture Week: Christian Lacroix's Tribute to Elsa Schiaparelli

Looking to spice up this cloudy Wednesday? See the newly released tribute to Elsa Shiaparelli by Christian Lacroix that kicked off the couture shows this week!

Shortly after the Prada/Schiaparelli exhibit last year, Tod's current president Diego Della Valle, who purchased the Schiaparelli archives in 2006, announced that Christian Lacroix would design the first collection. As promised, the fifteen piece collection pays tribute to Schiaparelli "by interpreting her iconic creations while perpetuating her timeless image". The collection opened Monday at the museum Les Arts Décoratifs and consisted of puffy sleeves, giant ruffles and fabulous hats! NYmag I can see Colleen in many of these hats!

Sadly, this collection was a one time experience for Lacroix, and owner Diego Della Valle has yet to announce the official designer of the newly revived house. Of the collection Lacroix said "my wish is to reposition Elsa at the center of her maison and on the stage from which she once seduced the world". NYmag

Although the collection won't actually be worn, it is still absolutely spectacular! Hope you enjoy it and would love to hear your thoughts on the collection!

Images via NYmag

AFFORDABLE COUTURE - A guide to buying and collecting by Jemi Armstrong and Linda Arroz, 2012

Written by Colleen Tsoukalas (Treasure Seeker Colleen)

I chose this book for two reasons: the word "affordable" and the cover photo of two red couture dresses.  Although I don't normally shop for couture, I am delighted when I find it at my two favourite 'boutiques': My Sister's Closet and Value Village.  The photos and illustrations in AFFORDABLE COUTURE kept me turning pages and pushed me out the door to see what treasures I could find.  Two classic white blouses I found, featured stand up collars, quality, fancy buttons (including on the cuffs), nipped in waists, finished edges and many other design details, perfect for work or after.  Cotton blend, one made in Canada and the other European.  Couture no but well designed, yes, and, according to the authors, one of the ten key pieces you should own.  I bought a couple of vintage sun dresses, mostly for the pattern and colors but also for a sense of fun and comfort.  Looked for quality construction: finished edges, metal zippers, where they were made: France, Canada, cotton lining, thread (not plastic) stitching and fit to body shape (as illustrated in the chapter: But Will It Fit?) From "What To Know Before You Go", I learned about labels - woven and not printed was true of label for the Oscar De La Renta silk scarf I purchased for $1.99 less 50%.

This book contains everything you need to know about buying and caring for your couture items as well as everything else in your closet.  My very favorite part, though is the stories from collectors, influences, special finds, and photos of them and their collections. City shopping guides are extensive, although Canada is not covered.  Still, when I shop here or travel, I will know where to go to find treasures, couture or not.