SECOND COAT

I haven’t really been slacking off. I was felled by the plague for most of the holiday season and have only recently emerged having coughed up a lung or two. That said, a girl needs to dip her toes into the retail pool even if she just does the dog paddle. A real score can put a rosy glow back on the old cheekbones and it doesn’t screw up the system as much as antibiotics. Because I had a 30 per cent off coupon for Value Village that expired on Dec. 31^st, I simply had to head out to the Logan location on New Year’s Eve before the bubbly was uncorked.

I always prowl through the sleepwear department in search of Chinese robes that are oh so boho when paired with jeans.  I found this amazing royal blue satin robe that cost $11.99 before the 30 per cent discount. It was in perfect condition and felt regal. If nothing else, I could wear it while binge watching The Crown.

When I went to cut off the price tag, I noticed a fancy-schmancy golden thingie that is routinely sewn to the neck of high-end merch for the purpose of intimidation. I couldn’t make out the name so I got out the trusty old magnifying glass and it turned out to be Adam Lippes. Hmmmm, sounded familiar. I Googled and discovered he is a U.S. designer who worked with the late Oscar de la Renta and has his own hot line.  My robe is actually an opera coat that retails for $2,750. Ka-ching!!!!

One of my fave designer resale/vintage shops is Thrill of the Find at Queen St. just east of Jones Ave. Owner Mireille Watson has such a great eye and Gallic sense of humour. I gravitated to this cheeky checked coat by the Canadian label Kk Bre Couture, based in Oakville. I loved the outsized yellow buttons. They made me smile. And it was a bargoon at $70! Not as much of a bargoon as the Adam Lippes opera coat but what is?

Watson is very low key but she does have quite the celeb following, especially since she posts on 1stdibs website. It attracted Gloria Vanderbilt, who arrived unexpectedly one day accompanied by a pair of strapping young men, none of whom was her son Anderson Cooper. 

Another score at V.V. This is a bouclé jacket with a matching fur collar that screamed out to me because of the fuchsia colour. I love me a good fuschsia. The label was Alessandra Boni Italy so it was a no brainer. It had me at “Italy.” The price was right: $19.95 less 30 per cent discount.

I Googled the label but it was all in Italian and even when translated the site is way too difficult to manoeuvre so Ms Boni remains a mystery. I can live with that.

NIGHT AT THE MUSEUM

The best bargoon in the Mink Mile has to be happy hour at Museum Tavern on Bloor St. opposite the ROM, where between 4 and 6 p.m. daily you can scarf down oysters for a buck a shuck washed down by $6 wine. Hey for $20 for a dozen and a drink, you can’t go wrong.

The slurp-able oysters and red wine at Museum Tavern, offspring of the late lamented Bistro 990 and owned and operated by the sons of Bistro owner Tom Kristenbrun.

Designer Nicole Manek, (left) formerly of the vintage store Life of Manek and currently selling online, me and her pal at Museum Tavern. I am showing off a stunning mink backpack she made from dead stock at her boutique.

Me and world-travelling pal Claire Blondeau (a.k.a. Salty Sea Wench) mugging at the Museum. I am sporting my trademark lipstick-print-on-napkin which could be useful in masking a bad facelift. Maybe I should copyright it.