Forest City Fashionista

Layering 101

2012-01-29T14:01:00.001-05:00

I dropped in on the half price sale at The Sentimentalist on Friday night, thinking there would be some interesting folks there to photograph. I love running into people I've photographed before, especially if it's been a long time since I shot them, and in the case of the young woman in the photo above, it had been a couple of years since she appeared on my blog here. I had picked up the plaid shirt she is wearing to show her, and she tried it on, and it worked perfectly with what she was wearing. Apparently she is known amongst her friends for her fondness for multiple layering and this outfit was a perfect example of how layering solids and patterns in different shapes makes a practical and funky look.

Fending Off the Blues in Red and Black

2012-01-26T20:28:00.000-05:00

Between trying to fend off whatever bug is taking down my friends and co-workers, not sleeping much, and stressing about work, I haven't been out with my camera this week, so I'm afraid all I have at the moment is a photo of me from last week. I will be out this weekend with my camera, looking for other people, I promise. Anyway, enough about me, and on to the outfit. I have quite a mix of decades going on, from the "Grease" era neck-scarf (the Sentimentalist), an 80's-ish leather and knit top (Value Village), red jeans from the most recent decade (The Sentimentalist) and my trusty thick-soled docs acquired in the 90's. Red and black is a colour combination I go to if I'm feeling kind of blah, as it makes me feel like I can handle whatever the day is gonna throw at me. Other people go for bright colours if they are feeling a bit blue, but for me, give me black with just a bit of bright, and my Docs, of course.

Roller Girl

2012-01-22T21:10:00.001-05:00

*Disclaimer - I try to make a point of getting the best possible photograph of my subjects, given the lighting and situation, and avoid posting blurry, poorly lit photos. Well, I'm about to break my own rules*

I used to roller skate when I was a teenager, but it's been a lot of years since I laced up a pair of boots on four wheels. If you have followed my blog for a while, you know that I am a fan of women's Roller Derby and regularly attend the home games played by our own Thames Fatales and Luscious Lunch Ladies. A good friend of mine, who recently joined the Forest City Derby Girls, offered to help me re-learn to skate, so on Wednesday nights you can find us at the North London Community Centre Adult Roller Skate night, with a bunch of other men and women of various ages and skating abilities. Most of the skaters are in the 50+ age range, and it is pretty darn cool to watch people who have obviously kept their skating chops in fine form over the years show off their speed and fancy footwork. And of course, there's music, courtesy of a DJ, and on a Wednesday night you might hear Adele, Prince or Yaz (who remembers Yaz!) Most bring their own skates but you can rent a pair for just $2.75. I've been going for almost two months, and am doing better than I thought I would, but stopping, and doing cross-overs are beyond my current skill set. I have a much greater fear of falling than I did when I was a teenager, so wrist guards and knee pads are part of my regular outfit. Most skaters favour jeans and t-shirts but there are a few of us who enjoy any excuse to dress up. On the night the photo above was taken, I decided to break out the knit circle skirt I had picked up at Mesh. Paired with an argyle sweater and red knee socks, I was ready to roll. The woman in the photo below, who skates with the London Loco Derby league also has a unique and fun approach to dressing for the roller rink. I love how she has coordinated her outfit with her skates.

Photos taken by Heather, using the crappy cameras on our respective smartphones. For more information about roller skating at the North London Community Centre, go here.

Minimalist

2012-01-20T20:14:00.000-05:00

This is my friend Judy, who lives in Toronto. I had taken this photo when I last saw her in October and kept forgetting to post it (sorry Judy). Her style is very chic and lady-like, and she is almost always wearing a dress and heels. She has been honing her style for years, and knows what colours complement her gray hair, and that simple, well-cut pieces are best for her body shape. The outfit she was wearing that day was a perfect example of her minimalist aesthetic - grey dress layered over black, topped with a bold red architecturally shaped coat, and one piece of statement jewellery. Judy is as much of a devotee to shoes as I am, so we had to stop by the Fluevog shoe store on Queen Street to do a bit of drooling. Their shoes are jaw-droppingly gorgeous, but fortunately, for me, don't fit my feet. Judy has no such problem, and came away with the sleek heeled oxfords in the photo below:

The shoes looked perfect with what she was wearing, so of course she put them on right away. Even though they were one of the more subdued styles for the brand, the unique details that Fluevog is known for are there--the sculptured heel, the mixing of textures, and the beautiful design on the suede upper. Elegant, but with a modern, funky edge, just like Judy herself.

Dark Victory

2012-01-17T20:47:00.000-05:00

This woman is demonstrating the way to do head to toe black (actually her boots are taupe...) without looking like Sid Vicious or an undertaker. There needs to be at least one dash of colour, strong shapes and different textures. The pants she's wearing are awesome (she said she got them in a store in Cherryhill Mall) and she's balanced them with a fitted jacket. Add the knit scarf, small cross-body bag, and a bold red lip, and she looks incredibly chic. Another woman who does the all-black thing very well, and favours the same proportions of a fitted top and wide leg bottoms is Jean of the Idiosyncratic Fashionistas. Jean usually accessorizes with pieces of colourful bakelite jewellery from her huge collection and a marvelous hat. Both of these women prove that you can wear head to toe black and be anything but drab.

Furry and Tasseled

2012-01-15T22:57:00.001-05:00

Yes, this is a lousy Photoshop job - I was trying to get rid of the camera on the right side of the photo in a hurry, and it just wasn't going well. However, let's focus on the fluffy and tasseled awesomeness that is the hat. I found it at Mesh and it was so beautiful, and incredibly lush and soft that I had to take it home with me. I haven't found exactly the right outfit to wear it with yet, as it is a statement maker on it's own, and I'm not quite sure how to balance it out. If I never wear it, I could always keep it on the end of my bed and pretend it's a pet!

Even the lining is beautiful, and it was handmade here in Canada for "Eaton" (I don't know if that's a spelling mistake, or if it is because it was made in Quebec (which is possible since French is listed first on the label)

*Update* - Kim from Lovesick informed me that it was National Hat Day on January 15th (who knew there was such a thing?) so my post was perfectly timed!

Does Size Really Matter?

2012-01-14T13:36:00.001-05:00

So, to look at Pauline wearing this clingy dress by Italian label "Save the Queen!" you would think she's probably a size small, or, maybe medium because of her height. Then she showed me the size label in the back of the dress. The size said "XL". There is no way in anyone's world that this woman is an Extra Large. Except apparently, in the world of that particular Italian label. There have been lots of articles and blog posts written about the tyranny of sizing in women's clothing, so I'm not going to add another rant to the mix, but I will say that I have found that the only way I can shop is to pay less attention to the size on the label, and just find something that fits, whether that means I'm a size Small at The Gap, a Large in a small boutique store, or a size 12 in a vintage 70's dress. This also means that I am constantly aware that if women like Pauline and I have to go to a size Large to get something to fit, how do women who have more curves that we do find stylish clothing that fits? Do you have a favourite store that carries cool clothes is real world sizes for women?

All Natural

2012-01-09T20:11:00.003-05:00

fibres, that is....and all second hand. Fur coat from The May Court consignment store, 80's leather pants from Etsy, wool felt hat from The Sentimentalist, Palladium boots, and scarf from a New York street vendor. Photo by Heather, to whom I'm grateful for her patience and her photography skills.

She's Lovesick

2012-01-07T10:19:00.000-05:00

I had been meaning to post a photo of Kim for some time, and as it happened on this particular day she was wearing a rabbit fur vest that had a former life as a lining of a coat, and her cool platform ankle boots she had purchased online at Modcloth, so it was definitely time for her blog moment.

Kim Petrie opened her store, Lovesick, in Wortley Village 4 years ago. It was a little slice of vintage heaven (and I do mean little) where you were assured of finding a treasure amongst the stock of women's clothing, purses, shoes, belts, jewellery, all in excellent condition and reasonably priced. The only downside was that you couldn't have more than 3 customers in the store at the same time before everyone started feeling claustrophobic. She solved that problem by moving her store to its current location at 723 Richmond Street, near Piccadilly, which is not only bright and spacious, but on a number of major bus routes, making it easier for people to find. Speaking for myself, it's a bit too easy, as it's on my way home from work, and the contents of my closet have expanded considerably since her relocation. She also has a facebook fan page for her store, on which she posts links to cool style-related articles and videos.

Every Girl's Crazy for a Sharp-Dressed Man

2012-01-05T22:57:00.001-05:00

And there's a story behind this photo of a very sharp dressed man. I had stopped by Lovesick after work to say hello to Kim, and was walking south on Richmond Street towards the railroad tracks when I saw a man and woman walking towards me. She was very attractive, and dressed nicely, but my attention was drawn to the guy, with his great hair, sleek overcoat, gloves, etc. (we all know how few men dress well in London), and I was thinking that if it hadn't been dark outside, I would have stopped him to take his photo. They passed me and I kept walking. I hadn't gone more than a few steps when I heard running footsteps, and a woman's voice behind me say, "Excuse me, but aren't you the Forest City Fashionista?". I turned around to see the same woman who had just passed me a few minutes ago. She was looking for Lovesick, which they had seen on my blog, and wondered if it was close by. I took her and her companion back to the store and then told him that I would like to take his photo, which I then did in the store. I was delighted to meet two of my blog fans in person and introduce them to one of my favourite stores. Good vibes all around!

Style Evolution

2012-01-03T20:15:00.001-05:00

Was in Commander Salamander, saw this very cool jacket, and wondered who was wearing it

Lo and behold, that would be local music legend, Scott Bentley, or, Steven R Stunning, as he was known in the 80's when he was the singer for glam/punk/rock band 63 Monroe (who are still together, having played a gig as recently as September). Bentley's style has certainly changed over the years, as there was a time when you would hear him coming before you saw him, with all the clanking and jangling of chains, buckles, belts, etc. (I wish I had a photo of him from those days to post as a "before" photo). I admired his over-the-top style then, and I like the quieter, stripped-down, but still rock 'n roll, look he has grown into. I bet the Steven R Stunning of the 80's never imagined that 30 years later, he'd be wearing a jacket he found at Winners.

January???!!

2012-01-01T16:36:00.001-05:00

You would never know it from the weather, which has required rubber boots more than winter boots. At least these ones are a bright, cheerful colour; if there's no sun, wear sunny yellow boots (with black and white striped tights, if at all possible). Happy New Year everyone!

Beatnik Meets Heavy Metal

2011-12-30T22:49:00.000-05:00

I've purchased some pretty funky and inexpensive clothing at Mesh lately, and had been meaning to do a post featuring some of these fabulous finds for a while now. Please excuse the awkward posing in the photo above--I was attempting to show off the red slap watch I picked up for $10 at Laguardia airport, and the spooky skull ring I found at Aldo Accessories. The real stars of the outfit are the faux fur vest and metal studded skirt, both from Mesh. The vest reminds me of something that Sonny and Cher wore back in their "I Got You Babe" days, so I resisted pairing it with a pair of flared jeans and platform boots. If you haven't visited Mesh yet, it's definitely worth going, as Rex has been getting all kinds of great stuff in, from vintage fur collars, unique bags, clothing from local designers and pretty party dresses. Mesh is located at 204 John Street, just off Richmond St.

Stylish Skeptics

2011-12-29T23:00:00.001-05:00

I was in Toronto today to see the Grace Kelly exhibit at the TIFF Lightbox, and the Pina Bausch film by Wim Wenders that was also showing there. The Grace Kelly exhibit was worth seeing--she starred in two of my favourite films, Rear Window, and To Catch a Thief, but I have always been a die-hard Elizabeth Taylor fan, as I found her much more interesting and exotic looking than the cool, blonde Kelly. The Pina Bausch film was stunning, and if you are a dance fan you should try to see it. Anyway, the only thing that this has to do with the photo above is that being in Toronto today (without my camera for a change) reminded me that I hadn't posted this photo that I took the last time I was there. One of my favourite colour combinations is gold and teal blue, and if you put that on a redhead, well, you can tell by her stance that she knows she's got it all goin' on. He was much more subdued, but had his own geek chic style. It seems by their facial expressions that they were both rather skeptical as to why I was taking their photo, so hopefully they will see it posted, better late than never.

The Right Way to Wear Orange Pants

2011-12-27T12:39:00.000-05:00

It makes me happy to see men that incorporate a bright block of colour into their outfit, especially when the bold colour is their pants. It takes chutzpah to pull off orange pants, but when they fit well, and are paired with neutrals like the brown shoes and dark sweater and jacket, they turn a nice outfit into a "Wow!" outfit. Kudos to you sir!

Maxi-mum Polyester

2011-12-25T18:43:00.000-05:00

Neither the I, nor the weather, was feeling much in the Christmas spirit today, but as I had an invitation for dinner with friends, I decided to adopt the "fake it til you make it" philosophy. I had found this 70's polyester maxi-dress at the May Court Shop for $7 last month, and had set it aside to wear on Christmas as a tribute to the fabulous Vix, of the blog Vintage Vixen. Vix, who lives in the UK, loves her maxi-dresses and looks like a million bucks in clothing that she finds for next to nothing at charity shops and car boot sales. Below is a shot of her I borrowed from her blog (with her permission)

Vix, in all her polyester glory. Actually, she's wearing a jumpsuit, not a maxi-dress, but the point is that she loves dressing up, and her style is joyful, eco-friendly, and downright brilliant.

Photo from Vintage Vixen

The flower headband from Weezi Design Studio seemed the perfect accessory for the dress, and generated some smiles while I was waiting for the bus.

In The Spirit

2011-12-25T00:14:00.000-05:00

Who can resist great smiles, and festive headgear?

Silent Night at Dollirium

2011-12-23T22:54:00.002-05:00

On December 16th a new show opened at Dollirium, the Art Doll Emporium owned by Jacqui Gallant. The show is called "Silent Night", and features dolls created by Jacqui Gallant, Sheri DeBow, Sarah Legault, Karly Perez, Kerry Kate, DC comics artist Tom Taggart, Lana Hicks, Michelle DiPinto, and local tattoo artist Mike Austin. In reference to the Christmas season, there are also some colourful and creepy ornaments created by Tom Taggart for sale. The show runs into January, and if you haven't had the opportunity to see a show at Dollirium yet, this is your chance to see (and purchase!) some unique and beautifully detailed dolls that definitely have more personality than the baby or barbie dolls from your childhood.

I love the rabbit fur hair on this interpretation of the Red Queen by Jacqui Gallant

Lana Hicks dresses her dolls in gorgeous outfits with delightful details such as the cat face mary janes worn by the doll in the photo above, titled "Mixie Mayhem".

Another of Lana Hick's dolls, titled "Neko"

Detail of "Neko"

One of my favourite doll artists, Sarah Legault, created the "Dragon Lady" in the photo above. Her dolls have a primitive style, and are always dressed in luxurious fabrics

Mike Austin contributed his "Creepy Sailor Jerry" to the show

California artist Sheri DeBow's dolls remind me of the artist herself with their masses of tangled blonde hair, large eyes and full lips. The one above is titled, "Hannah, with her picture still looking for mama"

Another of DeBow's creations titled "Blessed Virgin Mother's Heart", made of German polymer clay

Karly Perez hand dyes the fabric she uses to make the clothing for her dolls and whatever she used to dye the fabric for the dress worn by "Hedda" above, makes the doll smell like brown sugar!

A reader had asked what size the dolls were, so I have included this photo of the exhibit space to give an idea of their scale. Most of the dolls are between 12" and 20" in height.

Channelling Dr. Zhivago

2011-12-22T21:11:00.000-05:00

I was told by someone that the outfit I'm wearing in the photo above reminded them of one of those Russian nesting dolls, so when I stopped by Lovesick and saw this fur muff, I had to borrow it for a photo as it went perfectly with the Russian theme. The skirt, which I purchased from Lovesick a month or so ago, is a beautiful fur-like fabric with gold and pink embroidery. The pink felt collar I'm wearing came from a store in Toronto called Lady Mosquito, which carries very cool accessories made in South America. The fur muff, which unfortunately doesn't show up very well in the photo, can be purchased at Lovesick. Thanks to Hailey, the customer who was nice enough to pause her browsing to take the photo.

Songbirds

2011-12-20T20:49:00.000-05:00

The same day that I photographed the woman in the post below this one, these two young women were singing at the London Farmers' Market. They had lovely voices and I sat for a while enjoying their music. I realized I had photographed the young woman on the left at the Market several months ago. Apparently, I never forget a face...names, well, that's another story.

Sheepish..

2011-12-20T20:42:00.001-05:00

Are those knee-high sheepskin boots cozy-chic or what? The leggings she's wearing are also pretty fab--she bought them in Greece, and the fabric is a mix of mesh and solid knit.

At The Met - The Last Hurrah

2011-12-18T23:28:00.003-05:00

By the time you are reading this, The Metropolitan Artisans Market will be closed. For 9 months the place was a unique and positive addition to the downtown core. I spent quite a bit of time there; first shopping, and then getting to know the vendors. They couldn't get enough customers to keep it going, although I'm sure the irony was not lost on any of the vendors that the last two weekends they were open were the busiest weekends ever, with many customers who remarked that they were not aware the place even existed, and it was too bad they were closing. Ah, well....

Blue Christmas (tree)

Sarah Scope and friend rocking out

The atmosphere this weekend was festive, with Christmas decorations, live music and an opportunity to have your photo taken with the original MET sign, but there was also sadness over the loss of a location where they could display and sell their creations, and where friendships and business contacts had been made. I will miss my regular weekend visits with Candice, Amber, Ann, Chris, Sarah, Julia, and the other vendors, and I wish them all the best of luck in finding other opportunities for them to sell their work.

The young man on the right is wearing a vest made by the woman on the left.

Candice, of Dice Designs, with her ever-present smile, and fun and funky style. She made the dress she's wearing, which has red dice embroidered near the hem

One of artist Julia Hansford's recent paintings on display at her booth

The FCF with Amber, of Jackpot Vintage - photo by Tina Beynen

This woman, in her lovely embroidered dress, was manning the WENDWOA (West Nile Disadvantaged Women and Orphans Association) booth which sold handcrafts made by women and orphans in West Nile. After a few minutes of doing the "Don't I know you from somewhere", we realized we had both volunteered with the AIDS Committee of London approximately 20 years ago!

Jamie "Batty" Sabot coordinated perfectly with her sign advertising her "Batty's Bath" handmade soap and body products.

Photographer Norm Wilson gave folks the opportunity to have their photo taken with the original "MET" letters and get a postcard sized print for $5. I was wearing my red wool 1980's dress that I found at Mesh for $10, and it happened to match the sign, so how could I resist? Thanks to Norm Wilson for the photo.

Green Means Go!

2011-12-17T11:21:00.002-05:00

There was a new vendor at the Met last weekend, sharing a table with her sister, Erin, of Scissorkix. Alice Opal's business is called "Green Means Go", and her upcycled vintage travel cases would make any boring business trip a lot more fun. Using decoupage, stencils and fancy trimmings, she turns rather boring but sturdy travel cases into colourful, funky luggage worthy of a trip to Paris.

My personal fave was this bubblegum pink one, which started out life as a boring cream colour. I would love to take this cheerful, girly case on my next trip to New York where I know it would cause much 'ooohing" and "aaahhing". As Alice was wearing a very cool pair of boots, I figured I might as well show them off as well.

Alice Opal's cases will soon be available on Etsy here, and in the meantime, you can contact her at: alice.opalace@gmail.com

Digby...

2011-12-15T20:24:00.000-05:00

downtown London's most stylin' puppy!

At the Farmer's Market - Stylish Layering

2011-12-13T20:21:00.000-05:00

I had noticed this woman at the Farmer's Market before because of the black and grey feather attached to her hair. When I saw her this past weekend, I recognized her by the feather, and noticed that the rest of her style was pretty funky as well. The combination of purple and black looks great with her grey hair, and the layering is functional and stylish.

Chic, Sleek, and Cozy

2011-12-12T20:48:00.000-05:00

I am always on the lookout for unique winter coats--bold colours or patterns, unusual details or a striking shape. Mackage, a company started by two Canadians, is known for its chic outerwear. Jacqui, in the photo above, is known for her stunning coats (see another one here) and she found this Mackage coat on sale online. Details like the large fold-up collar, military-style closures, and the shaped hem are trademarks of the brand, as is the sleek silhouette.

Shocking Pink

2011-12-11T17:00:00.000-05:00

When I was last in Toronto, I spotted this woman sitting in the window of a coffee shop on Queen St. W. and decided I was not passing up a great photo opportunity. We chatted for a bit and it turns out that one of her closest friends works here in London at Western. Even more coincidental, her friend is also a friend of one of my co-workers. Small world, it is. Anyway, I think her shocking pink hair looks gorgeous on her!

By the way, Shocking Pink is an actual colour that originally takes its name from the colour of the lettering on the box of a perfume called "Shocking", which was designed for Elsa Schiaparelli.

Strategic Layering

2011-12-09T22:43:00.001-05:00

One thing about the cold weather that I like (actually, the only thing) is that it requires inspired layering when it comes to clothing choices. I've become a big fan of wearing patterned tights with a mostly black middle layer, then top the whole thing off with some kind of unusual jacket or in the case of the outfit above, a vintage cape. I found the cape at Jackpot Vintage, and fell in love with the colour combination as well as the fact that it was woven in Wales.

Underneath the cape, a raglan-sleeve pullover made of diamond-shaped pieces of leather stitched together ($7 at Value Village) and a chunky silver necklace from the gift shop at University Hospital (who would have thought that would be a great place to find inexpensive and interesting jewellery?)

Guest Post - A Met Collaboration

2011-12-09T10:53:00.001-05:00

I am having to post from my work computer as my home computer, where my blog photos are residing, is on the fritz, so to speak, which I am trying not to panic about. Fortunately, one of the vendors at the Met, Sarah Scope, sent me this photo taken by Tina Beynen, a fellow vendor, of Jamie "Batty" Sabot. Jamie is the owner of Batty's Bath, a bath, body and soap company here in London. Her stuff is eco-friendly and smells delicious - I am especially fond of the Sun and Sand body butter. I love this photo of Jamie, which shows off her colourful, eclectic style perfectly, and the background goes so well with her knit dress. Jamie also has a table at the Met until it closes on December 18th.

Thanks very much to Tina for taking the photo and to Sarah for sending it to me. Tina's business is called Sibling Rivalry Jewellery, and you can see her facebook page here. If you see someone who you think should be on my blog and you are able to take their photo (please ask their permission and inform them what it's for) and send it to me I would be happy to consider it for posting.

Autumn Orange

2011-12-07T19:29:00.000-05:00

Virginia has a delightful personal style, and her brilliant orange jacket and boldly striped stockings caught my eye as I was out for a walk on a gorgeous sunny Saturday. Virginia is a devoted collector of fine vintage clothing, and she is generous with her collection; some is gifted to friends, some is used for costumes in local theatre productions.

Arty Farty Party at the Sentimentalist

2011-12-05T21:22:00.002-05:00

Store owner Melinda Steffler, and artist Jessica Desparois (right) were the co-hostesses at the Sentimentalist's Grand Opening party this past Saturday. In addition to the cool vintage clothing and housewares that are always on offer, there were some tasty treats, and a selection of Desparois' linocut prints and funky cross-stitching for sale.

Linocut is a printmaking technique in which a sheet of linoleum is used for the relief surface. A design is cut into the linoleum and then inked with a roller and impressed upon cloth or paper. Jessica's linocuts (two are shown above) have a cheerful and kitschy 1950's sensibility, with images of palm trees, flamingos, trailers, and cowboys.

Desparois recently learned how to do cross stitching, and pictured above is one of her small framed cross-stitched works that feature trailers as a motif.

Three guys and a gal (the smallest Sentimentalist fan, and the best facial expression)

One of Desparois' animal-themed linocuts

One of the BEST Gift Ideas Ever!

2011-12-04T21:05:00.000-05:00

The photo speaks for itself--what an awesome gift idea for that forgetful partner, or friend's partner, your dad, co-worker, etc. etc. Of course, they will have to remember where they put them when they need them. Available from Andrea of PeanutParade at the Metropolitan Artisan's Market until December 18th. You can see more of her beautifully crafted cards and gift items on her blog here.

Signs of Christmas...Carollers!

2011-12-04T14:08:00.000-05:00

These young women were harmonizing beautifully outside of Mitch's Treasures for their open house on Saturday. Mitch's Treasures, located on Dundas between Elizabeth and Adelaide, has a carefully selected inventory of used furniture, lamps, and other decorative items at very reasonable prices.

At The Market - The Plaid Coat

2011-12-03T12:05:00.000-05:00

I have run out of adjectives for this coat, so I'll just say that it's my idea of a perfect coat; great shape in a bold red plaid. I like her updated cat's eye glasses too - a woman with great style!

Advanced Style on Film

2011-12-02T14:05:00.000-05:00

Ari Cohen, author of the delightful and inspiring blog Advanced Style, has been working on a film with friend Lina Plioplyte that features the wisdom and style of the "silver-hair set" (as he calls them) he photographs. He just posted the full trailer for the film on his blog here. I dare you to watch it, and not be completely won over by these brilliant dames. These are the women that provide my blueprint for aging. As aptly stated in the video by Jean of the Idiosyncratic Fashionistas: "young woman, you're going to be an old woman one day, don't worry about it".

At The Market - The Big Sweater

2011-11-30T19:29:00.000-05:00

Her cozy, oversize sweater reminds me of those grey wool socks with the red and white trim that were known as "work socks" when I was growing up (and were part of my father's Christmas present every year). She's kept the colour scheme going with the cool knee socks paired with red Converse.

Oooooh, Shiny!

2011-11-28T21:01:00.000-05:00

From Mars' holiday window display, created by Jim Telfer, of Grafica Event Planners

Marching to the Beat of his Own Drum (Piano, Guitar, etc.)

2011-11-27T15:04:00.001-05:00

It was a beautiful day on Saturday, especially for late November, and there were a lot of people out enjoying the weather. I had the pleasure of running into one of London's talented musicians, who is also a very sharp dresser, and I've been remiss in not photographing him for my blog before now. Jonathan has a particular fondness for vintage (note the vest and tartan tie) and is known for his rather impressive collection of shoes ("there's always room for another pair of cowboy boots").

Fifty??!!

2011-11-25T23:23:00.003-05:00

knit dress and brown brogues from Lovesick

I turned 50 yesterday. And it was a bit of a shock, let me tell you. A friend who has passed the 50 mark, whose birthday I share, told me that the anticipation is often worse than the reality, and for me, that was certainly true. This was a tough one - after all, when you're 50, you can't say you're young any more, regardless of whether the media has led us to believe that 50 is the new 40. You're not old either; retirement is still years away, but you've definitely crossed over the line of middle-age. But aside from the stiff joints, menopause, and frequent moments of "now, what did I come out here for?", I have to say that I feel pretty damn lucky. Lucky to have made it this far with no life-threatening illnesses. Lucky to be able to walk to the store and carry my groceries home. Lucky to have money to buy that pair of shoes. Lucky to have wonderful friends and family who love and appreciate me for who I am.

A large part of what has helped to make this birthday more of a cause for celebration, rather than a mourning of lost youth, are the incredible women I have connected with through Ari Cohen's inspiring blog, Advanced Style. As we age, we need to see women who are older than we are, living healthy, creative, and purposeful lives, and if you doubt they exist, just look through Ari's blog. I had the good fortune to meet three of them while I was in New York, and as I look forward to the years ahead, people like Jean, Valerie, Judith and Debra will inspire me to open my heart and my life to new ideas and new people, remind me that a sense of humour is an essential and marvelous thing, and, most important of all--to wear what makes me happy!

The "celebrating with the girls" outfit worn later that night. Fascinator from Fashion Crimes in Toronto, faux leather jacket from Frilly Lizard, swishy skirt from Talize and kickass birthday boots purchased last year on sale at From Mars. See photo below for a closeup of their total awesomeness.

*thanks to Heather for the birthday outfit photos!

Golden

2011-11-22T20:05:00.000-05:00

One of our graduate students wore these shiny shoes on the day she defended her Master's Thesis, and they must have brought her a bit of luck. Not only did she defend successfully, but she had NO revisions, which is rare. Congratulations Jessica!

Hats!! (aka "Judith, This One's For You")

2011-11-21T20:44:00.003-05:00

This post is dedicated to Judith, author of the blog Style Crone, and a fellow hat aficionado. She has an enviable collection of hats which she wears regularly and is a creative, caring, and courageous woman who inspires me to smile more and complain less.

I seem to be amassing a rather sizeable hat collection, and I've learned that with the acquisition of hats, particularly vintage ones made from wool felt, comes great responsibility. If I want them to last and not be chewed on by insects, I'll be investing in some hatboxes, acid-free tissue paper, and a hat brush. I had posted a photo of myself, wearing one of the hats I had purchased in New York in an earlier post, below are photos of the other two:

This little 60's hat was $10, and while I can't decide if it's a flattering shape on me, I loved the black velvet flocking on the orange-y background, and it makes a nice little display piece on one of my styrofoam mannequin heads.

I couldn't resist the feminine fluffiness of this large brimmed plush hat from Saks Fifth Avenue Millinery Salon (says the label inside)--paired with a little black dress, I could pretend that I was an extra from the film "Breakfast at Tiffanys".

I picked up this wool felt fedora made by Artistique of Montreal at The Sentimentalist before I went to New York, and after seeing the prices that vendors were charging for similar hats at the Vintage Show, I came home with a new appreciation for the stores we have here in London.

And speaking of The Sentimentalist, look at this fabulously chic women's fez that was on display when I was last in the store. I couldn't carry it off, but I know there's a woman out there that will be able to do it justice.

Cheerful Colour Blocking

2011-11-19T21:59:00.000-05:00

Back in October, before my trip to New York, I spent a day in Toronto visiting a couple of friends. Most of the day was spent on Queen West, where there is always an eclectic mix of style on the street. This young woman's outfit just begged for a photo--I love the bold mix of colours, especially the bright blue bow in her hair. It's amazing how much joy clothing can bring--I didn't stop smiling for blocks after seeing her.

Post #500 - "Baby, It's Cold Outside!"

2011-11-17T22:42:00.002-05:00

Yep, it's true. This is my 500th post to this blog - how cool is that? And speaking of cool, It was pretty darn cold out this morning, and that meant getting out a coat. Maybe not the down-filled puffer with the fur-trimmed hood, but a real coat nonetheless. I knew that Lily would have a coat that combined warmth with style, and sure enough, she was wearing the green draped coat she purchased last year and the colour looked wonderful with the fuschia bag she was carrying.

Later this afternoon I ran into Alex, who is one of the most consistently well-dressed men I know. He was wearing a beautiful black pea coat that he had purchased on a recent trip to Montreal paired with one of his colourful scarves.

I stopped by to say hello to Kim at Lovesick, and took a minute to try on this beautiful fur-trimmed coat. Fur is very big this year, and Kim has a number of fur and fur-trimmed coats in stock, at excellent prices. This one did not come home with me, even though I was in love with the cut and the fur collar. I did, however, find a long navy and green plaid cape that just might be finding a new home in my closet. I had purchased the blue hat I'm wearing from Lovesick last month, and today was the first day it was cold enough to wear a hat for more than decoration.

Purple and Proud...

2011-11-15T18:36:00.001-05:00

to be supporting the "Shine the Light on Women Abuse" campaign. Although it appears I have no hands, they're stuffed in the pockets of the crazy picasso-esque print silk jacket I found at Lovesick. The skirt and turtleneck sweater are from Value Village, and the fish necklace is from Ann Rompf designs at the Met.

Unfortunately, I didn't see anyone else wearing purple, except for the odd student in their UWO sweatshirt, so I'm thinking there needs to be more promotion of this campaign on the Western Campus.

Shine The (Purple) Light on Women Abuse

2011-11-14T18:18:00.000-05:00

The London Abused Women's Centre's Shine the Light on Women Abuse Campaign runs during the month of November, and Londoners are encouraged to decorate their home, school, business, church, etc with purple (you can purchase supplies from LAWC). You can show your support for this campaign by wearing purple on Tuesday, November 15th. If you're a Western student, it should be easy for you to dig up some purple and promote awareness of Women Abuse, and if you and some friends are all "purpled-up", take a photo, and send it to me at: slong88@hotmail.com (at least 100 pixels, max size 2 MB) and I'll post the best ones here.

Meg, of Megins Leggins

2011-11-13T19:28:00.000-05:00

I stopped by the Met to say goodbye to Chris and Amber as they pack up their booths for the move to Gibraltar Trade Centre, and ran into Meg Healy, the designer behind Megins Leggins, who has had a booth at the Met since it opened. Meg always incorporates a pair of leggings of her own design into her outfit. I liked the black and grey tie-dye print on the ones she was wearing, and how she had paired them with a plaid shirt and vintage blazer. Her vintage glasses frames are from The Sentimentalist.

Reasons to Come Downtown This Weekend

2011-11-10T22:53:00.000-05:00

First of all, tomorrow is Remembrance Day, please wear a poppy, and if you can't be at the Cenotaph at 11:00 am, take a minute wherever you are, to remember the men and women who sacrificed so much for our country. As for the scum who have been stealing the poppy boxes, I can only hope that a bunch of veterans get to kick your asses from here to next week.

If you're looking for some unique Christmas gifts, or just something cool for yourself, check out the Wearable Art Sale at Museum London this weekend. Local artisans will have hand-crafted jewellery, bags, scarves, hats and clothing for sale (cash and cheque only). The sale runs from 10 am - 5 pm on Saturday and 12 pm - 5 pm on Sunday. Check out their blog for a list of vendors.

Two of my favourite booths are leaving the Metropolitan Artisans' Market after this weekend - Jackpot Vintage and Uber Cool Stuff. They are both having sales so you may just get that Hawaiian shirt, condiment gun, or guitar-shaped spatula at a discount. Both booths are moving to the Gibraltar Trade Centre for the Christmas season, which is a blow for the Met, which seems to be struggling to attract both vendors and customers. Hopefully some new vendors will step in to fill the spaces, but in the meantime, Amber and Chris will be missed.

The big guy in the red suit is making his annual visit to downtown on Saturday night when the London Santa Claus parade makes its way down Dundas Street starting at 6 pm.

End of Season Derby Style

2011-11-08T22:47:00.002-05:00

As I've mentioned in my last couple of posts, The Thames Fatales and the Luscious Lunch Ladies Roller Derby teams played their last home games of the 2011 season on November 5th. The London teams won both of their games--The Fatales against The Roc City B-Sides from Rochester, NY, and the Lunch Ladies against the "Mystery Machine", a last-minute team made up of players from Guelph and another team to fill in for the team from Toronto that cancelled (and given that the players hadn't played together before, they did a damn fine job of holding their own). Below are some photos of stuff that caught my eye during the evening:

Lightning Slim was the announcer for the evening - he has one of the best announcer voices I've ever heard, a delightful sense of humour, AND he had very cool boots (see below)

I always notice other women who have short hair, as we are in the minority, and I really liked the shape of this cut, and how the colour looked great with what she was wearing.

A couple of Lunch Ladies hanging out before their game

Box Kick Betty's marvelous monster boots!

The floor was a mashup of black, white and green during the Fatales/Roc City match

After their game, the Fatales Co-Captain, Mirambo, donned a moustache (in honour of Movember) and some sexy heels to assist the referees

The Lunch Ladies team captain, Mighty Thor, in her "Peanut Butter Jelly Time" booty shorts, hot pink tights and customized helmet. How can you not love a sport that allows, or more accurately, encourages, you to dress like this?

Another of my favourite derby outfits of the night was the yellow and pink fringe micro-mini worn by Bloodlust Barbie

Go Big or Go (to the) Home Game

2011-11-07T21:06:00.001-05:00

I haven't had time yet to edit and post photos from Roller Derby on Saturday night, but in the meantime, here's a photo of my derby outfit taken by fellow shutterbug and derby fan Matt Ward. As it was the final home game of the season, I thought I'd do it up big, and it doesn't get much bigger than this gigantic, gorgeous crinoline, courtesy of The Sentimentalist. I paired the crinoline with my Thames Fatales t-shirt, a vintage fluffy head scarf purchased at The Sentimentalist, and "wicked" knee socks from the Derby merchandise booth at the last home game.

"Not Bad, For London"

2011-11-06T22:06:00.003-05:00

One of the many art exhibit openings on Friday night was at the Michael Gibson Gallery and was titled, "Not Bad, For London", which gets my vote for the best art show title ever. The show features the work of a group of young artists who draw, sculpt, paint, make films, zines, installations and sound art. The art on display showed the influence of cartoons, comics, graffiti and an acknowledgment of London's rich artistic history. The main room of the gallery contained individual works by Marc Bell, James Kirkpatrick, Amy Lockhart, Jason McLean, Jamie Q, Peter Thompson, and Billy Bert Young, while the middle gallery space featured collaborations by the group. The opening drew a large crowd and while the art itself was definitely visually engaging, I was more concerned with what people were wearing:

Funky glasses, and a vintage band jacket that had "Scranton" on the sleeve. Who knew that Scranton would have had such cool uniforms for their marching band?

These two swore they were mortal enemies, but agreed to let me photograph them together. They look happy enough in the photo, but who knows what happened afterwards...

this pinup girl tattoo on the arm of a young woman caught my eye

This woman looked great in leather, cowboy boots and print scarf

I loved the "45's and cassettes" print on the hoodie that artist Jason McLean was wearing. He bought it in a store in New York to wear to an opening of a show he was having there.

One of McLean's pieces in the the show

This young woman was quite happy to show off her gorgeous coat, which she purchased in Collingwood.

two of the collaborative works in the show

Artists James Kirkpatrick (left) and Peter Thompson demonstrate Kirkpatrick's sound installation

Fellow artist Jamie Q plays one of Kirkpatrick's "guitars"

"Not Bad, For London" continues until November 26th at the Michael Gibson Gallery, located at 157 Carling Street.

(Metal) Forest in the Forest City

2011-11-05T23:09:00.001-04:00

Artist Blacksmith Scott McKay had a reception for his latest exhibit, titled "Forest in the Forest City", at The Arts Project last night. I had first seen McKay's metal sculptures at a previous show at The Arts Project, and then at the Metropolitan Artisans' Market. This show features over 30 pieces of beautiful forest-inspired metal work, with trees being the central motif, as the title suggests.

Scott McKay beside one of his metal trees, which are rooted by strong trunks with branches that either extend gracefully as if blown by a strong wind or coil around the trunk in geometric spirals.

The trees come in all sizes, from large, fill-the-corner-of-a-room

to table-sized, as in this "Set of Little Trees"

My favourite piece, titled, "Artificial Limb"

detail from "Artificial Limb"

McKay finds all aspects of nature inspires his work, and includes lizards, dragonflies and birds in his "Jungle Lamp"

This line of Mexican hats laid out on a bench hinted that there may be some entertainment

We were treated to the music of Mariachi Mexico Ranchero, which made McKay's opening the only one in London that evening with a Mariachi Band. He found them on Kijiji (what can't you find on there?) and they are available to play at your event too, just email them at: mexico.ranchero@live.com

and they had very cool pants!

This Weekend - Art! More Art! Roller Derby!

2011-11-04T09:32:00.004-04:00

Lots of things to see and do downtown this weekend - tonight there are at least three art shows opening in the downtown area. The award for the best exhibit title goes to the Michael Gibson Gallery for the "Not Bad For London" show, featuring works by young artists Marc Bell, James Kirkpatrick, Amy Lockhart, Jason McLean, Jamie Q, Peter Thompson and Billy Bert Young. The exhibit opens tonight, from 8 pm - 10 pm at the Michael Gibson Gallery at 157 Carling Street, and runs until November 26th. There will be a screening of Amy Lockhart's animated films on Saturday, November 5th at 3:00 pm. For more info go to the Gallery's website.

Blacksmith Scott McKay is having a reception for his latest show at The Arts Project (203 Dundas Street) tonight, from 7 pm - 9 pm, with food, drinks and a Mariachi band (who doesn't like a Mariachi Band?). The exhibit is called "Forest in the Forest City" and features over 30 pieces of McKay's forest-inspired metal works. For more info, visit his website

Strand Fine Art Services, located at 1161 Florence Street (off of Eleanor Street) has an exhibit of new works by local artists Susan Day, Marcy Saddy, Brian Jesney and Bill Stelpstra opening tonight at 7 pm. The exhibit continues until November 26th and can be viewed Tuesday - Friday 10 am - 5 pm, and Saturdays 10 am - 1 pm.

And finally, for all you fans of strong, sassy women in hotpants and fishnets knocking each other down, there's the Thames Fatales/Luscious Lunch Ladies double header Roller Derby game on Saturday night. Doors open at 5 pm, and in a bit of a switcheroo, the Thames Fatales will be playing first, at 6 pm, followed by the Lunch Ladies at 8:30 pm. Not sure who the opposing teams are, but no matter, I'm sure London will beat 'em anyway. The game is at the Canada Building, Western Fairgrounds, tickets are $12 in advance and $15 at the door. It's the final home game of the 2011 season, so come on out and support the Forest City Derby Girls!

"Hallowed Be Thy Souls" at Dollirium

2011-11-03T22:12:00.004-04:00

On Sunday, October 30th, Jacqui Gallant and Dollirium Art Doll Emporium hosted an opening reception for her latest exhibit, "Hallowed Be Thy Souls", just in time for Halloween and The Day of the Dead. The dolls and sculptures in the exhibit definitely lean towards the creepy, and include goblins, zombies, fearies and swamp creatures. They are also meticulously crafted works of art. The exhibit includes pieces created by London artists Anthony Veilleux, Deb Mellor, Jacqui Gallant and Sarah Legault, and international artists Beth Robinson, Ryan Friant, Sheri DeBow, and Shyla Uglyshyla. The photos below feature some pieces in the show, their creators, and their fans.

Multi-faceted artist Anthony Veilleux has a number of sculptures in the show, including the ones on the wall behind him.

A close up view of Veilleux's "Bloody Fearie", which features a quote from Labyrinth, one of his favourite films, on the base.

Another of Veilleux's beautifully detailed "Fearies", in resin and mixed media

Jacqui Gallant, with one of her dolls in the exhibit

One of my favourite pieces, a sculpture entitled "Adrian and Sam - Swamp Souls" by Deb Mellor

Philadelphia illustrator and sculptor, Illworx (aka Ryan Friant), created this violin playing blue demon, "Niccolo Diavolo". For more of his creations see his website.

The sad-eyed doll on the left is by Jacqui Gallant, the one on the right, crafted from California driftwood, clay and found trinkets, is by Sheri DeBow

London artist Sarah Legault's "Halloween Bird", complete with his little trick or treat bag

Samurai Darth Vader dropped by to view the exhibit (and made his own costume!)

Always stylin' local musician Jeremy Hobbs (in his awesome two-tone shoes) and friend were there

This mother and daughter were definitely the best "dress"-ed

The exhibit runs until December 11th. Dollirium Art Doll Emporium is located at 1 Cliftondale Avenue, behind True Love Tattoo on Wharncliffe Rd. and is open most days until 7 pm. There are many pieces in the show priced at $100 or less, so if you are looking for a unique gift for a fan of the dark side, or a work of art that is sure to start a conversation, this is the place to go.

New York Wrap-Up

2011-11-01T22:04:00.002-04:00

I had to throw in one last post from my trip to New York to say thank you to the wonderful people who made me feel so welcome, and took the time to share some of their favourite New York hangouts with me. From the eye-candy of the Manhattan Vintage show, the jaw-dropping awesomeness of the Daphne Guinness exhibit at the Fashion Institute of Technology and the hat heaven that was the Stephen Jones exhibit at the Bard Graduate Center, it was four days of swoon-worthy style, excellent food, indescribably delicious cocktails and the best company I could have asked for.

Yours truly, wearing a 1940's hat I purchased at the Manhattan Vintage Show, with kindred spirits the Idiosyncratic Fashionistas, Valerie (centre), and Jean (far right), as we sampled some of the delectable cocktails at Apotheke. For more details about our adventure, and about the launch of the book by illustrator Joana Avillez that showcases Jean and Valerie's inspiring, idiosyncratic style, check out the latest post on their blog here. Photo courtesy of the Idiosyncratic Fashionistas.

I met the delightful Liz Baca, right, of The Goods, a vintage store based in California, at the Manhattan Vintage Show and Sale and purchased a striking taupe and black cape from her booth. She was also doing a pop-up store until November 3rd at Marmalade Vintage in New York. Photo courtesy of Liz Baca.

I had connected with Debra Rapoport (left) through Ari Cohen's blog Advanced Style, and we were able to meet for brunch on Sunday, along with her friend from Paris (right, in the gorgeous boots which she had purchased in NY) at the Whitney Museum. Debra is a nutritionist and an artist, and creates unique and fabulous accessories from the most unlikely materials (she is also a fan of short, two-tone hair, which makes her ok in my book).

Happy Halloween!

2011-10-31T11:44:00.000-04:00

After getting all "hat-inspired" in New York, I had to wear this witch-y fascinator, complete with spiders on the veil today.

Halloween at the Met Part 2

2011-10-30T15:33:00.001-04:00

More inspiring costumes created by vendors at the Met:

Artist Julia Hansford and Amber Smith of Jackpot Vintage

Julia's costume, which she painted herself, in all its total awesomeness

Rock 'n Roll!

Sarah Scope, wearing one of her recent crocheted creations, attacks a fellow vendor

Good Witch or Bad Witch, only she knows for sure

Halloween at The Met

2011-10-29T21:46:00.002-04:00

The vendors at the Metropolitan Artisans' Market are in the Halloween spirit this weekend and showing off their creativity with some truly awesome costumes. Behold:

An Uber Cool Cap'n Crunch

Rob, of Candora Soap, looked very rakish in ruffles and cape

For a pay-what-you-can donation, you can get your face painted by one of the talented artists at the Market. This man brought in a photo of the look he wanted, and he got it, horns and all.

what the modern cavegirl is wearing this season

Candice created her own "Day of the Dead" inspired makeup

More great costume photos tomorrow. You can vote for your favourite vendor costume at the Met.

Family-Friendly Halloween Events This Weekend

2011-10-28T09:47:00.000-04:00

Even though Halloween is technically not until Monday, most people who are past the "Trick-or'Treat" stage tend to celebrate on the Saturday before. If your idea of a good time does NOT include lining up outside a bar on Richmond Row, dressed in your best "Victoria's Secret Model" costume, you may want to check out one of these family-friendly Halloween parties:

1) The Metropolitan Artisan's Market is hosting a Halloween party on Saturday and Sunday downtown (140 Dundas Street, Saturday 10 am - 6 pm, Sunday 12 - 5) that features face painting, live music, a costume photo booth, Halloween crafts and trick or treating. You can even vote for your favourte Vendor costume, and of course I will be there to shoot some photos.

2) Halloween in the Village - Wortley Village is hosting their first Halloween parade on Saturday from 5:30 pm - 8 pm. The non-motorized parade will take place on Wortley Road between Elmwood and Bruce, and the Forest City Derby Girls will be participating, promoting their next bout on November 5th.

3) If you live in Old East Village, The Boyle Activity Council is hosting a Halloween Celebration from 2:00 pm - 4:00 pm on Saturday at the Boyle Memorial Community Centre, located at 530 Charlotte Street.with games, treats, crafts and a costume parade.

New York Street Style

2011-10-26T20:01:00.001-04:00

Below are photos of some of the folks with whom I crossed paths in the Big Apple:

Ari Cohen posted his photo of this woman on his blog Advanced Style, but she looked so gorgeous in her stunning flowered coat I had to post my photo as well.

One of the few people I saw smoking

awesome dreads, great smile, and an absolute sweetheart

New York! Hats! The Idiosyncratic Fashionistas!

2011-10-24T22:03:00.000-04:00

I've just returned from a trip to New York, which was a "pre-birthday" celebration, and was surrounded by so much fabulous style I was in sensory overload for four days. I have many great photos from the weekend and will be splitting them into a few posts. On the day I arrived, I headed to the Bard Graduate Center for a talk by British milliner Stephen Jones, in connection with the current exhibit, Hats: An Anthology by Stephen Jones, that is on display there until April. As soon as I arrived, the first person I saw was Ari Seth Cohen, author of one of my favourite blogs, Advanced Style. Ari asked if I would like to shoot with him while we were waiting for the talk to begin (like he had to ask me twice), so we photographed some of the women heading to the talk who were decked out in their most fabulous hats.

Ari Cohen, (center), author of Advanced Style. I'm pretty sure the woman on the left will show up on his blog.

A number of people attending the talk were local milliners and were wearing hats of their own creation. This woman made the hat she is wearing.

Debra has appeared regularly on Ari's blog, and has a marvelously creative hand and eye when it comes to making amazing accessories from discarded odds and ends, including the hat she was wearing.

It was great to see a number of young woman at the talk who had worn hats. See photo below for a closeup of the one on the woman on the right.

I was told that the woman in black and white above is a champion of mid-century modern jewellery. She looked amazing in her black and white cloche hat and black jacket, but her brooch was the real eye-catcher.

Patricia Mears, the Deputy Director at the Museum at FIT served as interviewer for the talk, and was wearing a hat of Stephen Jones' design.

Another milliner who attended the talk shows off her muli-layered outfit, featuring her favourite colour.

After the talk, during which Jones discussed how he became a milliner, some of the inspirations for his work, and stories of designers he has worked with, and a Q & A with the audience, Jones selected audience members to come up and try on one of his hats that he selected for them from a sampling he had brought along. The lucky woman above got to try a silver top hat encased in black tulle.

Stephen Jones fitting a gold tiara on Jean, who is half of The Idiosyncratic Fashionistas

And speaking of the Idiosyncratic Fashionistas, I had made plans to connect with Valerie (left) and Jean (right) while in New York, so we had our meet and greet after the talk. Don't we look so coordinated! For more photos from the talk, including another of the three of us, visit their blog. Photo courtesy of the Idiosyncratic Fashionistas.

Skeletal Accessories

2011-10-19T11:06:00.000-04:00

This young woman was out doing some Halloween shopping last weekend (at least that is what I assumed from the bag of plastic body parts her friend was carrying). When I asked to take her photo she reminded me that I had photographed her about a year ago on campus at UWO. I love all the individual items--the argyle tights, pleated skirt, cool kicks, and skeleton-themed scarf and gloves--and that she's pulled it all together into a cool and coordinated outfit.

Power of the Print

2011-10-17T21:15:00.000-04:00

If you're a regular reader of this blog, you probably know that Lily has an impressively stylish collection of dresses. She found this one, in a boldly patterned cotton velvet, at the Brydges Street Antique Market for $10. I love the 60's vibe of the fabric and the way it contrasts with the relatively conservative cut of the dress, which I think what makes it work. If the dress was a fussy cut, it would be overwhelming.

Stuff I Hate About Fall...

2011-10-15T19:19:00.001-04:00

The weather can be sunny and mild one day, and then suddenly you get a day like today where it's raining, windy and chilly (I believe they called it a "weather bomb" on the Weather Network). I didn't even venture out of the house until late afternoon when the worst of it was over. The upside to this was that it was perfect weather for the rubberized trench coat I got last year at Lovesick. The coat makes a lot of noise, but also makes me feel like I'm channeling Emma Peel from "The Avengers", which is never a bad thing. I found my motorcycle boots in a thrift store in Paris for 15 euro, which excited me more than seeing the Eiffel Tower.

Stuff I Like About Fall...

2011-10-13T19:35:00.001-04:00

Crunchy, colourful leaves underfoot, and being able to wear the chocolate brown suede brogues I found at The Sentimentalist!

You Spin Me Right Round Baby...

2011-10-11T21:11:00.003-04:00

I'm not sure what the proper name for the style of skirt in the photo above - it's fitted through the hip and thigh and flares out just above the knee. Whatever it's called, I've seen them in a number of collections for fall, and who can resist something that hugs your curves like a pencil skirt, but then gives you a feminine flare at the hem that makes it fun to twirl in? The woman in the photo (who didn't mind being asked to spin in a circle at work) purchased hers from Charmain Bertram at Integrity Designs when she had a booth at the Metropolitan Market. Bertram no longer has a booth there, but you can see her designs on her website here.

Red Lipstick, Red Plaid

2011-10-08T23:37:00.000-04:00

My eye was first attracted by her sparkly fedora, then to how her red lipstick matched the red of his plaid shirt--nice colour coordination!

Have you "Met" These Stylish Folks?

2011-10-06T19:31:00.000-04:00

Since the Metropolitan Artisans' Market opened back in April, I have featured some of the vendors and their eclectic style on this blog. I find the Market is one of the best places to find people who have adopted the style philosophy of "dress for yourself, not to look like other people".

Erin is not one of the regular vendors at the Met, but she took over a table for her business, called Scissorkix, for a couple of weekends, and I fell in love with the adorable little buttons she makes and sells. I defy you to not find one that speaks to you, no matter what your personality. She has an Etsy store where you can purchase her creations, including copies of her zine, Daisies and Bruises.

Amber is the friendly face of Jackpot Vintage. I've found a few gems amongst her stock of clothing and knick knacks from decades past, most recently a beautiful wool cape that was made in Wales. I liked the mix of the sparkly silver fabric (my photo doesn't do it justice) and the classic cut of the dress she was wearing on this particular day. The black cardigan and tights tone down the sparkle for daytime, but without the sweater, and with sheer stockings and higher heels, it would be great for a night out.

Not So Casual Friday

2011-10-04T19:57:00.001-04:00

When I stopped this man on a Friday afternoon to take his photo, I asked him if he was dressed to go to special event and he replied, "I work in construction and this is my day off". I'm sure he had no idea how swoon-worthy many women would find that statement. Love the manicured sideburns and the bold purple shirt!

Derby Double Header

2011-10-02T18:28:00.001-04:00

London's Luscious Lunch Ladies took on the Guelph Royal City Roller Girls in the first game of a double header on Saturday night and after a close game that saw many players knocked to the floor, the Lunch Ladies emerged victorious by a nail-biting margin of 3 points. After a brief intermission, the Thames Fatales took on Montreal's Filles du Roi, and again, London came out on top with a score of 117 - 92. For me it was more fun than usual because a friend of mine was playing her first game as a member of the Lunch Ladies, and the entire team played an excellent game - you woul never know they were all new to the sport.

The track was a blur of purple, yellow and blue as the Lunch Ladies (in the yellow and blue) and Guelph (purple) battled it out, with many team members hitting the floor throughout the game.

Lunch Ladies team colours

I'm continually amazed at the creativity when it comes to derby names

A group of hard core fans flaunted their green and black prior to the Thames Fatales game

Welcome to The Sentimentalist!

2011-10-01T22:43:00.001-04:00

The latest, and very welcome, addition to the downtown core, "The Sentimentalist" opened for business on Friday. I love the design of the door sign; it's like something you would see on the door of a psychic at the turn of the century.

Owner Melinda Steffler has always had a passion for collecting beautiful pieces of clothing, accessories, and housewares from bygone eras, and incorporates this passion into her everyday wardrobe. The store has a sizeable selection of men's wear, which when I visited included a beautiful pair of spectators in navy blue and grey, and a several pairs of cowboy boots.

Capes were very big on the runways this fall, and this plaid capelet woven in Scotland would look great with a turtleneck, a pair of jeans and some lace-up boots

This beautiful pony skin bag, in pristine condition, was priced at $35

The store is spacious and well organized, and has a room devoted to vintage housewares

I had to get my friend to pose in this super-cozy, bubblegum pink cape

The store also has a selection of jewellery, men's cuff links, and sunglasses. The Sentimentalist is located on the second floor at 394 1/2 Richmond Street, between Dundas and King Streets, and is open from 11 am - 6 pm Tuesdays - Saturdays. London now has three stores that stock quality, well-priced vintage clothing and accessories, all within walking distance of Dundas and Richmond; Lovesick,

The Sentimentalist, and Jackpot Vintage in the Metropolitan Market.

Reasons to Come Downtown This Weekend

2011-09-30T23:03:00.000-04:00

There are a number of things going on downtown this weekend that deserve attention--first of all is Culture Days, a three day celebration of Art and Culture that is described on the official website as:
"a collaborative pan-Canadian volunteer movement to raise the awareness, accessibility, participation and engagement of all Canadians in the arts and cultural life of their communities..... The first annual Culture Days event was held in September 2010 in over 700 Canadian cities and towns and, by all accounts, was a great success. Canada-wide Culture Days events feature free, hands-on, interactive activities that invite the public to participate “behind the scenes,” to discover the world of artists, creators, historians, architects, curators, and designers at work in their community."

I spent a half an hour on their impossible to navigate website just trying to find a list of the events going on in London with no luck. I do know there are some cool workshops going on at the Grand Theatre on topics such as how to build a prop, be a backstage dresser and sing in a chorus. Various library branches have events going on and Museum London held a big kick off party tonight. Check the London Free Press for a list of events.

Next, there's Roller Derby! London's Thames Fatales and Luscious Lunch Ladies roller derby teams host a double header game on Saturday night at the Canada Building, Western Fair. The Lunch Ladies, known fondly as the "Fresh Meat" team, will play Guelph's Royal City Roller Girls at 6 pm, followed by The Thames Fatales vs Montreal's Filles du Roi at 8:30 pm. Doors open at 5 pm, tickets are $12 in advance, $14 at the door.

And finally, for all you vintage clothing lovers out there, the long awaited opening of "The Sentimentalist", Melinda Steffler's store that celebrates her love of all things vintage, primarily from the 1950's to 1970's. The store is located at 394 1/2 Richmond Street, near the Richmond Variety between Dundas and King Streets and is open Tuesday - Saturday 11 am - 6 pm. I dropped by today and had the pleasure of being her first customer. I'll be posting photos later this weekend, but for now, below is a rather sombre photo of yours truly in a gorgeous jacket I picked up today and wore to a friend's art show tonight:

What To Wear While Rappelling Down a Building

2011-09-29T10:07:00.001-04:00

I was waiting for the bus at Dundas and Wellington this morning and noticed that there were people wearing pink capes rappelling down the side of One London Place. As this isn't a regular occurrence, some online information searching was required once I arrived at work. Apparently it is the first annual "Easter Seals Drop Zone London" fundraiser, and offers the opportunity for ordinary folks to rappel down the 25 story building provided they have raised a minimum of $1,500 in pledges. Looks like fun...sort of.

Looking Great is the Best Defense

2011-09-27T20:47:00.002-04:00

One of our doctoral students recently defended his dissertation, and he was not only successful in his defense, he did it with great sartorial flair. A nicely tailored three-piece suit, accessorized with an elegant tie and cuff links, and you have an outfit guaranteed to impress any audience. Congratulations Michael!

From Her Closet to Your Closet

2011-09-25T20:47:00.001-04:00

I had heard that a secondhand clothing store had opened recently on Wharncliffe Road, just north of Riverside so I decided to do a reconnaissance mission this past weekend. The store is called "My Closet", and my first impression was that it's very tiny, but the cheerful colours on the front of the store are very welcoming, as is the owner, Jennifer Knechtel.

Jennifer's shop has a small, but well-organized selection of what she refers to as "pre-loved" clothing. Items are clean and in very good condition, and her prices are competitive with other resale clothing stores. When I visited she had a nice selection of party dresses, purses, and some cool fall boots.

I would have purchased these Nine West psychedelic platform sandals if they had been a wee bit wider.

These size 40 suede boots were tempting as well, but the heel was higher than I could comfortably wear. I did come away with a very cute flowered cardigan for $8 and a faux suede skirt for $10. Knechtel is passionate about customer service, and will be adding new stock as often as possible, to ensure there is something for everyone's taste and budget. The store is a short walk from downtown, the #2 Dundas bus stops almost at her doorstep, and the #20 Cherryhill will get you there as well.

The store is located at A-69 Wharncliffe Rd north, and is open Tuesdays and Wednesdays 11 am - 3 pm, Wednesdays and Fridays 6 pm - 8 pm, and Saturdays 10 am - 1:30 pm

On the Bus - Candy Coloured Kicks

2011-09-23T21:43:00.001-04:00

Couldn't take my eyes off of the awesomely colourful Nikes paired with the patterned tights worn by the woman sitting across the aisle from me on the bus the other day.

Frugal Fashion for Fall

2011-09-21T21:47:00.000-04:00

As of Friday, it's officially Fall, people! I love Fall - the transitional season of chilly nights (throw a blanket on the bed) and crisp, cool days when you can wear a jacket, and real shoes before Winter reduces us to a shivering mass of pale, down-filled coat and Sorel-clad whiners pining for the heat of summer. Given that Fall is known to be far shorter than the three months indicated by the calendar, I am taking full advantage of the layering possibilities the season inspires. I found the Simon Chang jacket at the May Court consignment store on Dundas Street for $10 (score!), and wearing it over a hooded sweater vest I picked up at Talize. Add jeans from Value Village and El Naturalista shoes from the Balisi outlet store in Toronto, and I have an outfit that cost less than $100, shoes included.

Speaking of secondhand shopping, FCF's project for this fall is to put together a comprehensive list of where to shop for secondhand clothing in London. The list will be divided into Consignment, Vintage, and Used and I welcome your input as to what stores are included on the list. We all know about the Goodwills, Salvation Army thrift Stores and Value Village, but what about those little consignment stores tucked away in the corner of a plaza somewhere? I'm familiar with the majority of secondhand stores in London, but if you have a favourite out-of-the-way shop, and don't mind sharing the location with me (I completely understand a reluctance to divulge the location of your private goldmine of vintage), please provide the name and address, and if possible, the hours of business so I can check it out.

Not Your Grandmother's Crochet Patterns

2011-09-19T21:08:00.000-04:00

Zine maker, writer, and crochet artist Sarah Scope is a recent addition to the list of vendors at the Metropolitan Artisans' Market. I first saw her cheerful crocheted hats and scarves in the Anti-Fashion Fashion show last winter, and now they are available at the Met. Her designs are not for people who want to blend into the crowd; wearing one will most certainly get you noticed, and most likely, the question "where did you get that?"

Channel your inner Mexican wrestler while staying warm in this brightly coloured modern version of the Balaclava

At The Car Free Festival...

2011-09-18T19:55:00.001-04:00

I saw this man in his hand knit "horse" sweater and had to get a shot of the front, and then I got to see his friend's outfit as well.

Her cute dress cost her a couple of bucks at the St. Vincent De Paul thrift store, and his sweater was given to him by a friend.

Artist Axl decorated the street with her chalk. She recently participated in the Sidewalk Chalk drawing exhibit in Wortley Village.

You could do some yoga in the street

or get a smoothie that was blended using Bike Power

Reasons to Come Downtown This Weekend....

2011-09-16T09:27:00.001-04:00

Car Free Fest, Oh! Fest and Doors Open London--three good reasons to make the trek from the 'burbs to downtown this weekend. Oh! Fest is an indie music festival held in cooperation with this weekend's Car Free Fest, and Doors Open London. You can find the schedule for both festivals here, and more information about Doors Open London here. Free yoga classes, live music both days, the Forest City Derby Girls, and an outdoor screening of "The Princess Bride" on Saturday night; take advantage of what will likely be our last chance this year to get out and play on the street! I'll be taking photos, so put on your coolest threads and you may find yourself featured on Forest City Fashionista.

Sew Simple, Sew Chic

2011-09-14T21:52:00.000-04:00

I had the pleasure of meeting Anna, the owner of Anna's Tailoring on Richmond Street, last weekend when I took a dress in to be altered. Her sleek short haircut and chic, head-to-toe black accessorized with a statement necklace are markers of an elegant woman confident in her own style.

Mesh, Revisited

2011-09-12T21:30:00.000-04:00

I hadn't been in Mesh Boutique (located at 204 John Street, just off Richmond) since it had been sold to a new owner, so I thought drop in for a visit. The layout of the store, which specializes in "designer vintage/retro consignment" has been changed for the better and is now one large space with the counter at the rear of the store. Stock was attractively merchandised, and very organized. The only negative thing I could say is that I've never understood why secondhand clothing by labels like H&M is considered 'vintage', especially given that it's cheap to begin with, and tons of it can be found in every Value Village, and unfortunately, there was still some of that type of thing amongst the store's stock. For the most part, there was an interesting mix of newer upscale used clothing and accessories for men and women, including some great coats and jackets. They had a nice selection of little black dresses and I found a slinky 1980's number that was surprising flattering for $15. The new owner, whose name is Rex, is very friendly and helpful, and wants to support local businesses as much as possible. He is carrying jewellery by local designers, and bath products from Batty's Bath and some cute tops/dresses made by a friend of his. If you haven't been to the store, it's definitely worth a look, and who knows what treasure you might find. After all, the thrill of the hunt is one of the major appeals of secondhand shopping!

Rex, the new owner of Mesh Boutique, rocks stylish checks and converse

Brown Biker Boots

2011-09-10T11:26:00.000-04:00

This young woman and I seemed to be following the same shopping trajectory yesterday, as we first saw each other at Lovesick, where I took her photo, and then ran into each other again at Mesh. It's so great to see young women who love shopping in vintage and thrift stores, and who know how to choose the right pieces that work for them. The A-line denim mini, leather cross-body bag and the awesome brown biker boots (resulting in much boot envy on my part) with a simple long-sleeved t-shirt looks wonderful on her, very hip and youthful, without screaming "vintage".

Reasons to Come Downtown This Weekend....

2011-09-09T09:37:00.000-04:00

aside from wanting to avoid the crowds of Western and Fanshawe students who will be packing the malls. The Michael Gibson Gallery on Carling Street has an exhibit by respected local sculptors Murray Favro and Ed Zelenak. The opening reception will be on Saturday from 2 pm - 4 pm and Favro and Zelenak will be present. You can find more information about the exhibit here. Both artists are inspired by everyday objects and I have been a huge fan of Murray Favro's work since I first met him in the 1980's. He's a quiet, unassuming man whose delightfully inventive sculptures and installations often incorporate slide and film projections, light effects and other technology.

Fans of classic Country, Alt Country or Rockabilly music should drop by the Richmond Tavern on Sunday afternoon, between 3 - 8 pm when local country band The Rizdales are hosting their annual Round Up show, which is a pay-what-you-can, with all proceeds going to the Canadian Cancer Society. The Rizdales will be joined by Toronto band The Millwinders, Vancouver's Joe Fournier, and London's own The Woody Allens. The Richmond Tavern is located at the corner of Richmond and King Streets downtown, and is not as scary as it looks. I've been to quite a few Rizdales' shows there and the crowd is usually an amiable mix of ages and sensibilities, there to enjoy the music and quaff a beverage.

Sheer

2011-09-06T22:31:00.000-04:00

This young woman is doing the current trend of wearing a sheer long skirt over something short, and while I haven't liked this particular look when I've seen it in magazines, I do think it looks cute on her, especially with the floral print of the skirt, and the lacy mini-poncho, so it looks sweet rather than sexy.

Style Mashup

2011-09-03T10:32:00.001-04:00

I love the mix of style influences this young woman has incorporated into her outfit--Victorian-style blouse, schoolgirl plaid skirt, modern tattoos, 50's glasses--and it all works together. My personal favourite of her tattoos is the one of a Russian Babushka doll on her hand.

Lovesick Relocates to Richmond Row

2011-09-01T21:18:00.002-04:00

If you've been following this blog, you know that Lovesick, the vintage clothing store owned by Kim Petrie, is one of my favourite places to shop. I was surprised, and delighted, to see that Kim had moved her store from its Wortley Village location to a new space on Richmond Street, near Piccadilly. If you had visited her store before the move, you know that it was cramped, and difficult to move in if there were more than two customers in the store at once. The new location is large and bright, with lots of rack and display space (see photos below), and a full-size change room. She will also be accepting debit and credit cards in the near future--all good news for her customers. Her selection of vintage clothing, hats, shoes and jewellery is amazing, and her prices very reasonable. I picked up a pair of brown brogues which were on my list of "wants" for fall. The address is #2 - 723 Richmond Street, and for the time being, you may want to call (519) 438-1186 for her opening hours.

Yeee-Haw!

2011-08-31T21:43:00.000-04:00

I found these cowboy boots at Value Village at the beginning of the summer for $13, and I finally got around to getting them re-soled. They're made by Boulet Boot company, which has been in business since 1933 and is the first company to produce cowboy boots in Canada. They are beautifully made, and after new soles and an expert polishing, they look like new. I won't be wearing them to rope any steers, but I'm hoping I can put together an outfit that works with them, but doesn't look like I'm channeling Annie Oakley. Any suggestions?

Dancing Under the Stars

2011-08-30T22:15:00.001-04:00

As I mentioned in a previous post, one of my favourite things about Festa Italiana at Covent Garden Market is the outdoor dancing in the square. Saturday night's weather was gorgeous, and couples of all ages waltzed, polka-ed, and jived under the stars. Below are some of the photos I took that night.

The Story Behind the Necklace

2011-08-28T11:31:00.000-04:00

I stopped this man to ask about his beaded neck piece, which he purchased at a native powwow, and had a lovely conversation during which he told me the story of how he had been raised as a white man, by white men, and discovered later in life that he was part Micmac. He has passionately embraced his native heritage; he is learning the Micmac language, and is working on several creative projects that reflect his journey of discovery. Conversations like this are a large part of why I love doing this blog--brief, but meaningful, connections with people whom otherwise I would have no opportunity to speak with, and all because of an admiration of a plum-coloured shirt and a beautiful necklace.

Reasons to Come Downtown This Weekend

2011-08-25T20:26:00.001-04:00

The first of my recommendations for this weekend is Festa Italiana, at Covent Garden Market. This year's festival marks the 150th Anniversary of the Unification of Italy and features a mix of delicious Italian food, live music, and events such as a grape stomping competition, pizza eating contests and Venetian Mask Making classes. Aside from the opportunity to eat all the gelato I want, my favourite part of the festival is watching the couples dance outside in the market square to the music of Orchestra Italiana London. I love watching the older couples who have obviously been waltzing together for years gracefully maneuver around the dance floor.

Art fans will want to check out the following two exhibits of work by local artists:
1) A juried art show at the Metropolitan Market, the theme of which is "Support Your Local Artists Before They Move to Toronto", features the work of 25 local artists. The show runs Saturday from 10 am - 6 pm and Sunday from noon til 5 pm.
2) This weekend marks the opening of Artfusion 18, a show featuring the work of local graffiti artists at Chaucer's Pub on Carling Street. Doors open at 6 pm on Saturday, and the work will be on display until September 2nd.

Yours truly will be checking out the art, food and music and looking for blog photos. Hope to see you there!

FCF Style Inspiration

2011-08-24T09:52:00.002-04:00

I have mentioned Iris Apfel in my blog before--the 90 year old woman whose trademark owlish spectacles, wildly colourful wardrobe, and "more is more" preference when it comes to accessorizing, has made her a fashion icon for people of all ages and sensibilities, including me. Her wardrobe has been a subject of a museum exhibit and a book (Iris Apfel - Rare Bird of Fashion), and she is now venturing into the Home Shopping Network market with accessories of her own design. The New York Times online has an article about her and her latest project here.

Iris Apfel, photographed by Bruce Weber

Spectacular Spectators

2011-08-20T19:44:00.001-04:00

August is disappearing at an alarming rate, and it seems that everyone decided to leave town the last couple of weekends while there's still a bit of summer left. It's been incredibly quiet downtown, and very little sartorial activity, so today's post is a photo of a wonderfully stylish man I met in Toronto last month when I was shoe-browsing at David's. I was completely taken with his cream and brown spectators, and then noticed his summer-perfect seersucker jacket. Definitely a man who takes his style seriously. He was working at David's, so the red sandals were for a customer.

Snazzy Spectators

Primary Brights

2011-08-18T19:38:00.001-04:00

This woman has an impressive collection of vintage clothing (see her in her beautiful cape here) and it includes a number of brightly patterned blouses like this one. I love the cheerful mix of primary colours and the geometric pattern.

The New Hat

2011-08-16T21:56:00.000-04:00

I met a friend for lunch at the Mythic Grill on Monday, and the glorious weather, in addition to the thrill of having a Monday off, inspired me to put together an outfit based around a straw hat I had purchased last week at From Mars' end of summer sale. I love hats in theory, but in practice, I can never seem to find one that fits well, and that I want to wear on a regular basis. This one was a pleasant surprise in both its fit and wearability, and I'm hoping we have quite a few more sunny summer days in which to wear it before it's retired for the winter.

Cycling Chic

2011-08-14T16:57:00.000-04:00

I think if more women dressed like this when riding their bicycle we would have greater success in making downtown a car-free zone! Love the green pointy flats, and the bicycle necklace.

The Truth

2011-08-13T20:32:00.001-04:00

Major kudos to whomever is responsible for this....seen on a lamp post on Dundas Street during Pride weekend.

Fearless

2011-08-11T22:42:00.000-04:00

This is one of my personal favourites of the photos I've taken recently. There's a strong sense of self that comes through in her style

FCF Cleans Out Her Closet

2011-08-11T09:42:00.000-04:00

After recently moving to new digs with very little storage space, it has become abundantly clear that I have TOO MUCH STUFF. So, in an effort to makes some space, I'm having a "Closet Cleanout Sale" this Saturday, August 13th, from 9 am - 1 pm. Clothing, shoes and boots (size 10), jewellery, and a few funky household items, all in great condition and cheap prices. If you're interested in stopping by, just send an email to slong88@hotmail.com and I'll provide the address.

Top to Toe Red

2011-08-09T19:04:00.000-04:00

This woman, who has appeared on my blog before, was helping out at a booth during Car Free Festival. Her style always has a vintage flair to it; the full-skirted dress and ankle strap platform sandals she was wearing bring to mind the 40's and 50's, and the colour looks amazing on her!

FCDG at Car Free Festival

2011-08-08T20:07:00.000-04:00

The Forest City Derby Girls were one of several groups who set up information booths along Dundas Street during the Car Free Festival on Saturday. This week I'll be posting more photos of some of the stylish folk I found on the street that day.