What I'm Taking With Me

My very favourite thrift shop closed a couple weeks ago.

Life's bowl of terrible things has been picked from quite freely this year, hasn't it? Thrown into the bag! Thrown into our faces! Littered across the sidewalk! Dumped all over the carpet! Spilled all over the floor till it's seeped under the refrigerator! Need I go on?

I've spent so many happy and sad and bored and lonely and restless and searching moments in that thrift shop over the years, ever since I moved to this neighbourhood in 2009. 

There's a route I could take, when I walk to buy milk or eggs or toilet paper or something, where I'd get to pass by that shop. And I'd often choose it--that route--so I could look in the windows. The store always had such great window displays, and looking in them would get me excited for my next trip there. Sometimes I'd see something in the window display I might want to buy! 

At Christmas time, when I was extra poor but wanted to keep the "let the kids pick a new Christmas ornament out every year" tradition, well, that's where we'd go. When they were smaller they'd find other little treasures in there too, to spend their money on. Like stuffies, books, shoes.

It wasn't one of those huge thrift shops...it was small and cozy and unique. I could let the kids look around a bit on their own, while I did the same. But mostly, I liked going in there by myself, so I could methodically peruse every section, try some things on, and circle my way to the cashier. Usually the cashier was the German lady who ran the shop. She'd recognize me, and we'd chat. I told her once that she should come to karaoke sometime, cause I heard her singing along to the oldies CD she had playing from the counter. It was probably the only time I saw her soften her "all-business"  persona! 

Now when I walk to get milk I still feel the memory of the anticipation of its window...and then I have to remember it's gone all over again. Nothing to spice up the walk! The window display is dark, the space is empty--except for a mirror it had that I used to imagine how earrings or a hat would look on me in--the mirror's still there, and skeletoned racks stacked for a move. 

I'm taking a lot with me, from that shop.

Let me show you about it...

Oh teapot, I didn't know such a pretty teapot could even exist

You don't whistle loudly at me, thank goodness

And, you've had to be fixed a couple times by my man (who will fix you next?)

Who will fix you next? I will

Just keep boiling my water for my chai, looking pretty

Thank you for sitting in Treasure Cottage just long enough for me to find you and take you home

Chicken! You called to me with your golden eyes and your golden beak! 

Beautiful tins oh how I love thee 

Let me count the ways

"Smooth runs the water where the brook is deep" you tell me

"The noblest mind the best contentment has" you tell me

"Bless this house" you tell me (you'll see)

But my favourite oh how I love thee of all is: "Be to her virtues very kind, be to her faults a little blind"

You're empty, but I don't need to fill you. You do your job just by being. Beautiful

There once was a man

Who loved me a lot

Or not

Because he said he'd buy me these elephant book ends in the window

But see, he did not

So I bought them

For myself

Thank you, me

See?! Beautiful tins how I love thee

In even the hanging on the wall ways

Just, nobody slam a door, or a-dented you will be

But I can hang you back up 

Just fine

There once was a man

A boy, rather

Who told me this hat looked like a hairnet

But I knew 

That even if he was right

He knew

I was still glamourous in it

All that shimmers is 

gold

This beauty was hanging in the window during a Canada Day display time! I saw it at night, when the shop was closed, and went in next day to snatch it up! It's one of those, "Life is short, wear the lipstick" kinds of bags though cause mostly I just gaze at it hanging on my closet door. It's too pretty to use. And some things are ok that way.

SHOES!!! This is a great quality brand--made in Israel by Naot. I have two other pairs of their shoes, bought new at the Naot store we used to have in Kerrisdale (a store that is ALSO GONE!!!). 

Honestly, they're not a favourite, but they're comfy and they're unusual and they're great quality. If I got rid of them I'm sure I'd kick myself. 

Penny empty, ribboned, green suede, tassled, Italian, black and blue toe cleavage. (Who likes toe cleavage? I mean, is that a thing? I mean, it is. I think toe cleavage is fine. Maybe even sexy.)

Dodged a bullet! Kept the shoes.

Cause there once was a man

Who liked my (Italian) flats so much

He was sure my wearing them meant he'd marry me 

He was a total idiot though

Dodged a bullet! Kept the shoes.

Just the right amount of wedge.

And maybe some toe cleavage too, but just a peak.

Ok, so a side track?

The kids would often pick out my Christmas presents in this store! Matthew or Simon or (even) Myself would give them the money/supervise their looking and choosing. Whatever they'd pick out, I'd love, cause it was from there.

TT has wonderful taste, and she gave me this swan one year. In fact, I think she gave me another swan from there another year, but it broke. 

Oh, did you know I like clothes? 

!!!

Bought this the one time I went in the shop with Simon's mom. It was like $2 on the outside rack in late summer, and I remember she kinda encouraged me, while she bought something for each of the kids. Yeah, $2! 

You should see the back...

The picture doesn't do it justice. It's silky...and 60s...and fantastic...

I'm not a big pink fan but rose-ish with gold makes me swoon.

Swoon? She said?

Rich colours 

Luxurious textures! 

Dresses! Tops! Sequins! Velvets! Let me wrap myself up in you! 

(Ok yes I know, tone it down a notch. But I cannot believe I am so lucky to have these all in my closet I want to get up right now and go find these items and run my hands across them and smell them! 

Yes, I did write that.)

A gorgeous Made In Canada Hawaii type dress! I've worn it out of the house only once or twice, but once--when I was dating--I had the perfect opportunity cause someone took me to this secretish place called the Shameful Tiki Room. It's all Polynesian and retro and rose-ish and gold and glowing everywhere. He gave me the most melting compliments. It was actually a stunning date.

And then, next time we met, 

he told me he had a girlfriend on the East Coast who he was waiting for, 

but he wanted to know if I'd hang out with him in the meantime. 

And then he cried. About her. And I left.

He was a theatre actor, actually. I think...stay away from those guys. 

But, I cannot lie! That date with the dress was stunning.

Ohhhh shoes. You'd love to make another appearance, wouldn't you?

These are tastefully worn sans toe cleavage. I mean, who needs toe cleavage when you have all THIS going on?? Thank you, Italy.

How many coats did I buy from Treasure Cottage? 

This periwinkle one I wear all the time. It's from Japan and it has some kind of weird ski patch thing on one of its arms. I almost didn't buy it cause I was like "I don't NEED a coat"...that was last year I think and now I'm on my second round of pretty much wearing it every day for a solid 6 months. So...

And mustard? One of my favourite colours! Mustard with toggles and a hood! And, to top it off, 3/4 length sleeves!

This last coat I almost got RID of! I shudder to think of the loss! It is the most beautiful of greens and has some faux fur at the top and a lovely flattering waist. Warm too. 

"You look like a crazy lady of Kerrisdale", Matthew'd say 

As I traipsed around (still do) wrapped in Hong Kong warmth

Shielded from the dreary rain

His voice still in my head, every time I take it out of the closet

And...not NOT in support

Another flattering jacket here. I had a nice compliment on this one from a boring date once. Thanks, boring date! You were right, this is a great jacket!

I don't think I need to say anything about this skirt. 

Except, know this: up close it simply just looks polka-dotted, and it's silky too.

This is my "Love Yourself" video dress--infamous!

I always feel like I should be celebrating New Year's Eve in the 1920s when I see this one. I remember I wore it to a Christmas party in the neighbourhood, the last year Matthew and I were together. He was on a medication that made him super drowsy and he kept falling asleep perusing the hosts' coffee table books while I made conversation with people in this and silver fishnet stockings. 

Sad Hilarious Free And Fun All At Once!

It's the important details one must remember.

Made in Austria! The hills are alive!!!

My friend told me I'd probably have a lot of fun karaoke nights in this one. I actually never did...

...so here's hoping she'll prove right someday!

That time I thought it might be a good idea to start wearing pleather. 
(Actually, somewhere around here I have a pleather jacket too, because Treasure Cottage supplied EVEN my pleather needs.)

And that time I wasn't sure I should get the blue dress but then realized I really should. I mean, it's Made in Canada! (Do I CARE about that kind of thing or something? Yes, yes I do.) And really this kind of ruching is just so forgiving. 

Always remember: a little ruching goes a long, long way. 

And, always remember, not everyone can PULL OFF pleather(?), but everyone should TRY(?).

Sure, cute little pillow, I'll take you home!

I'm not a big fan of matchy matchy, but when it came to these velvet twins I couldn't say no.

Sometimes I'd feel like the store just hand picked items for me to find. And this pillow always makes me think of TT cause I think she sees herself as that little elephant and me as the big one there. Isn't that sweet?

Like I always say, (not really, but really), "And don't forget about the jewelry!"

This design is just so gorgeous. I want to keep looking at it.

If I'm gonna make YouTube videos...

I'm gonna need feathers for my hair. And beautiful hair combs. 

Thank goodness for this excuse.

Therese! One of my most favourite necklaces she got for me at this thrift shop for Christmas a few years back. I'm always afraid the glass pendant on it will drop and break. It's so beautiful on this blue ribbon.

Like I always say...

Don't forget about the jewelry! And this is just a snippet, people.

Simon alluded to this being kind of a grandma-ey sweater, but only in all the best ways. It's got a shiny gold thread everywhere through it and I probably wear it more than any sweater I've ever owned. 

My favourite side of ME involves wearing these pants.

I tell you! Treasure Cottage handpicked items for ME to find!

Do you have a favourite side of YOU? Does it involve tiger face pants? 

Probably not. 

Would it if the pants were ALSO fleece???? Cause they are. My goal in life is to wear these out and about to so many different places in so many different ways and never once get tired of them. I think(?!) I have enough items to mix and match them into...

Lately the pandemic has gotten so old and so long that I've been not able to wait much longer, and the fangs have come out. "Life is short! Wear the lipstick! Carry the bag! Put on the tiger pants!"

Have I mentioned my love affair with velvet?

Also, worth noting: 

Made In Canada ;-)

My two favourite Christmas items I bought at Treasure Cottage. I still need to figure out how to make this angel light up, but she shines even without electricity, 

at least in my eyes.

Cause

light 

is in the eye of the beholder.

 And this light up church with snow all around it is kind of cheesy, but it's well loved by all of us. I've had it since the girls were teeny tiny. Simon even asked about it the other day, when he was checking on me, after Hosea said I should send him a picture of our Christmas tree--"Did you put your light up church out too?" he asked, from his bachelor pad with certainly no decor like this going on. The church is so special. When the kids were younger they'd set up their toys near it and do photo shoots.

So...

I have more from there, I'm sure, but I won't be GETTING more from there. I'm sure.

Like so many things from this year, it's gone, this thrift shop. And I still can't believe it. I want to walk there today while I have my Sunday all alone (again, like old times) for something to do, something to perk me up...so I can touch the clothes, find that treasure that seemed hand picked just for me. Can you tell, it's not just a fleeting *up* I get? It lasts, meshes into my life. Sure, I can go without the stuff--and I had spells where I'd make it a point to not buy anything for awhile. Cause it's good to be able to do that, too.

But even then I always enjoyed walking by, and looking in the window. 

Thanks, Treasure Cottage. Not many people called you that, because I think that name was a hold over, or only appeared on your receipts, or whatever, but that's what you were for me. A Treasure Cottage of a thrift shop. And I'm glad for all you let me take with me.

There once was a thrift shop

A cottage of treasures

Thanks for the memories, I will see them long after you are gone

But I will miss your smell, your warmth, 

your...treasures

Your windows

If you look in mine, you will see

Strands 

Strands of you

I'll keep taking with me