Bang for your Buck!

So. During my regular peeking about etsy, I came across this vintage seller, Reruns, who has incredibly reasonable prices on some great pieces(I posted a dress of her's in the last post.) Now mind you some are a tad bland, some are cute/basic and some are just waiting to be altered into something awe-mazing. I loved this gathered bust dress from Balenciaga's S2009 collection, a piece contructed so differently and yet can be so wearable. This is what makes me dream in fashion. Now Reruns has a dress that has a tinge of similarity at a minute fraction of the cost, 10 bucks to be exact. Yes, it's actually a black dress and not a typical spring pastel/bright. But on a night out you can never go wrong with a LilBD. So stop your tsk-ing and take a look-see. First crop it into a mini, if needed slim out the back and tighten the neckline. For $10 what have you got to lose?



















Ultimately the dress is not supposed to look exactly or even close to the Balenciaga one, otherwise they wouldn't be special on their own terms.

Some other note worthy pieces from Reruns' selections, the Suede Lace Ups, Hot Leather Skirt, '50s/'60s Gorgeous Dress, '80s sequin Dress, and the Black Pant Jumper which would be slick cut into shorts.

xo
mike.

UpsideDive's 5 Hot Topics!

The buzz word is that things are warming up to spring and we can't get these 5 things shake outta our heads.

1) Sewing Classes.

That's right kids, if this is a year to learn a skill it's sewing machine 101. Think of all the things you could do if you only knew how to sew! Alterations, upholstery, birthday gifts! Making your own clothes, that fit you to a T. Art projects, accessories, mending! Honestly my mind goes wild! The workroom run the lovely Karyn, is a great lil' sewing shop here in Toronto. Both Ang and I have taken a one day course and we're both pretty hooked. The great thing is that Karyn offers a wide variety of classes, check the schedule often because they do switch up. 

I also recently picked up an amazing book from 1972 called "Designing in Stitching and Applique" by Nancy Belfer.

Quite amazing the work her and her contemporaries produced and in many forms. Wall hangings, textiles, and conceptual pieces all with a mid century abstract art theme but in very organic '70s materials and colour choices.

So in looking around I few found some artists/designers/crafters where sewing is an integral part to their work.  APPLIQUE designed by jane makes these awesome brooches in floral and starburst patterns. I came across this one armchair on Fiber Art Furniture and thought it mimicked a lot of the new colours in interiors today. I think i've posted about Snaggs before, but her love for '60s-'70s pop culture, especially Peter Max illustrations keeps me coming back. Also just a quick mention of the awesome Mr. Grant Heaps who makes amazing works comprised of quilting, who this last month was a part of the Radiant Dark show at Made. Not a quilt, but just as time-consuming, his piece can be seen here and here. Quite a magnificent piece, that nods to traditional style craft, pushing it into a modern market.

2) Spring frocks.

Form fitting, architectual and in bold, bright colours. And I know, I know it's hard, but can we forget being too body concious and just have a lil' fun.

Red Wiggle Dress - Erstwhilestyle, Grey Business Suit Dress - adVintagous

, Blue Sexy Sweater Dress - Reruns , Coral Suede Dress - NodtoModvintage , Red Collared Dress - NinthAvenueVintage

Next week UpsideDive has a tonne of new spring frocks going up daily be sure to check back then.

3) Mixed Material Furniture.

This piece on Lushpad says it all. Wood & metal & lux finishes. Now mind you not for every piece of furniture, and not the central focus, but definitely one quiet piece off to the right of the room that catches your eye and smoothes things out quite nicely.

4) Independent Media.

What better a time to read our independent media outlets. Leave Vogue and Esquire to the doctor's office. Zines, blogs, small press mags need all the support they can get. Otherwise if you blink you might miss' em. Worn Fashion Journal and N.E.E.T Magazine are two top picks for those into smashin' fashion. And of course Broken Pencil is a great source for independent press.

5) Vegan French Toast.

Pulp Kitchen makes this to-die-for almond paste french toast, and once again I can't stop thinking about it. Currently I'm searching for a similar recipe, do you happen to have any?

xomike.