Dear Montreal,

If I were to begin a love letter to you, I'd have to kickstart a whole dangity new blog, which would be tons-o-fun, but would require me to quit my day job, which would require me to give up things like eating... So this will be more of a "love postcard."

Thank you for your seasons, and the way each one seems to take the entire city population by surprise.
Thank you for your wonderful breakfast options and maturing coffee scene.
Thank you for your markets, your mountain, and McAuslan!
Thank you, above all, for being home to so many of the people I love.
Oh dear Montreal, you've made me maudlin' :)

Running-start-tackle-hugs, as ever,

Me

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Dear Trovers,

Please share your Montreal treasures in the comments for a chance to win this nifty vintage 60s Montreal souvenir bracelet!

I love to play tourist in my own city and will eagerly read about your favourite brunch spot, caffeine fix, date night dinner, street festival, neighbourhood to walk in, what side of the bagel war you side with (full disclosure, I'm a St Viateur gal - but just the brown-bagged-bagels, not the sit down cafés), what Montreal blogs you follow (or write!), favourite biking or jogging route, museum or gallery, hangover food haven, veggie food haven, local designer, festival, volunteer opportunity, ice cream spot, and of course, your vintage treasure haunts!
Contest closes Friday at midnight.

Cheers! 

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Such a glorious weekend we had, eh?   All that warm sun and cool wind made me want to rent a convertible, crank up some road trip tunes, and head down the highway in search of treasure.  Alas, the balcony needed flowers, there were back-to-back Mother's Day celebrations on Sunday, and a convertible ain't in the cards just yet!

This oxblood red vinyl vintage 60s or 70s suitcase by Stradellina (Italy) would be perfect for a weekend getaway.  Sturdy, handsome, and just the right size for toiletries and a couple of changes of clothes.

Dimensions: 20" wide, 12" tall, 7 1/4" deep
Price: $15

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*SOLD* 1960s or 70s General Electric tube clock radio, in retro beige!  This is an AM radio only - perhaps best for those who like to wake up to talk radio (CJAD anyone?).  The tuning mechanism is a tad finicky, but the sound is great!

Price: $20

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*SOLD* These two tiny clear glass perfume bottles have a beautiful heavy silver overlay in a floral motif.   The overlay is sterling silver, and both bottles are clearly stamped on the bottom, indicating that they were made in Mexico.  This style of scent or perfume bottle was made in Mexico between the 1930s and 1970s - these ones are at least from the 1960s.   They are quite small - I've placed them next to the smallest of a matrioshka doll set for a sense of scale.

Price: $30 for the pair

Note:  I hopped on Ebay today, typed in "mexican silver overlay bottle" and found four single bottles - almost identical in style - priced at between $55 and $99 each!  Not only are these two very well priced, they'd also look wonderful on a mirrored tray on your dresser. 

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*SOLD* Add a punch of retro colour and illustration to your kitchen walls by hanging up these vintage 60s-70s cutting boards!   I'd probably use the reverse side as a cutting board, to keep the images from getting scratched.  The boards measure about 9" tall, and the one on the right has a crack in it - hence the low price for the pair. 

Price: $10

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*SOLD *

Save some space on your kitchen shelves with these stackable stainless steel cannisters, made in Canada, The Queen Line by A.R. Light. The original stickers (Tea, Coffee, Flour, Sugar) are still attached, though some hvae curled and darkened a bit in the corners. These would also make for quirky storage in the bath or craft rooms, and in a pinch could make fun herb planters!

Price: $20

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*SOLD* I wish I could create a stop-motion animation with this fun mid-century brass candelabra.   Not only does it expand (see smallest incarnation above, to widest, below),  each section twists off from the others, so you can build and shape it in many ways!

It measures a shade under 6" in height at its tallest, and a shade under 20" at full extension.

Price: $20

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*SOLD* This three shelf unit could use a fresh coat of paint, unless you enjoy the distressed finish, and it would work on its own as a toy shelf for the wee ones, or a low book shelf (perhaps next to a fireplace) in a den, library, or livingroom, or as extra storage in a kitchen. We have a similar, though larger one, sitting on a table in our kitchen, and it works very well as a hutch.

This one measures 38" tall, 30" wide, and 8" deep.

Price: $20

Inspiration:

Paint it white, and put a nice contrasting colour inside.

If not white, why not a pale blue? Then pop it on a small cabinet!

So many more ideas here!

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1. Set of four 1960s stainless steel kitchen containers, by The Queen Line of Canada: $20 *SOLD*
2. Versatile bookshelf or hutch: $20 *SOLD*
3. Mid-century expandable brass candelabra: $20 *SOLD*
4. Vintage 70s Stradellina suitcase in rich burgundy: $15
5. Brass accent lamp: $20
6. Pair of 1960s-70s painted cutting or cheese boards: $10 *SOLD*
7. General Electric AM radio - fun retro style!  $20 *SOLD*
8. Two rectangular enameled pans, with lids: $20 *SOLD*
9. Two 1960s sterling silver on glass perfume bottles: $30 *SOLD*

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Last weekend: Molly & May(hem) on the balcony.

Balcony Makeover:  Part III

Last weekend we finished painting, moved the chair-bench into its new place of honour, cut and attached the lattice to the railings, and acquired shelves at the Percival Street Block Sale in Montreal-West.    This week was all about flowers!

We went to see Alex at Marché de Fleurs Westminster  and received great advice on what flowers to plant for the very sunny and windy conditions on our balcony.  We picked up two flower boxes, a beautiful hanging basket, and some gardening supplies, then headed home.   Sohrab drilled drainage holes into the flower boxes, and I happily arranged our new flowers and foliage in them.

See the newly adorned corner below!

Next weekend I'm hoping to pick up the edibles:  tomatoes, mint, basil, lavendar, thyme, and maybe even beans & strawberries.

 
Oh so much better! 

Oh sad balcony railing, are you lonely and bleagh? 
Oh view of the "massage" parlour across the street (no joke: 3am, goombas, track suits, gold chains), can you be blotted out?

 

Lonely bleagh-ness & view of the "massage" establishment banished!

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What's this? A rather Unassuming White Cabinet with Shelves? But what can be inside? Shall we take a peek?

My - a pretty ladies' accessories closet, with jewelry, purses & party shoes!

But wait, we close the door, and when we open it again...

A nicely apppointed little linen closet! Perfect for bathtowels, bed linens & bathroom supplies.

Close the door, and open it for the third time...

A neat kitchen pantry! Space for fancy dishes, colourful Pyrex, cans-o-beans, a vintage stand mixer, and your collection of herbal tisanes!

Sohrab and I snagged this little beauty at an estate sale with the hope that it would live on the balcony to store gardening things and BBQ tools. Sadly, there simply isn't enough space for it out there. We're going to see how it fares elsewhere in our 'umble abode, but given the tremendous size of our closets, this wonderful cabinet (pantry, linen closet, accessories storage) may be up for grabs! Feel free to email me if you're interested :)

Update: SOLD
This cabinet has found a loving new home and may be undergoing a dramatic transformation :)

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I know I said I wouldn't be posting for a bit, but I forgot that I already had a few more items photographed!   This wee vintage 60s clip on lamp is 5" tall and can clip onto a shelf of treasured photos or items, your headboard, or any little nook that could use a warm glow!
Price: $10

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Mother's Day, balcony gardening, meeting up with old friends...much to do!

More treasures to be posted on soon!

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*SOLD* Elegant Sheridan Silver Co.footed  water pitcher, 1950s-60s.  this heavy beauty could use a good polish over some areas, I've kept it as found for those who prefer the aged patina.  I love the simple lines of this piece, with a nicely rounded body, simple scroll ornamentation,  and a graceful handle.  It is marked "Silver on Copper" and has the crown, S, and crest mark of the Sheridan Silver Co.
It measures 6 1/2" tall (not including the top curve of the handle) and 6" across (without the spout or the handle.)  This would make a beautiful vase for a shorter floral arrangement.
Price: $30

Inspiration: rich red peonies in a silver vase

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Hello all,

Naomi, a fellow Trover, has put together a great site for her grandmother's estate sale in Outremont, and if you love clean-lined mid-century furniture and housewares, you ought to wander on over to peruse the well-priced selection: http://outremontvintage.blogspot.ca/

Cheers,

MJ

Two items I'm loving but don't have room for:

*SOLD SINCE POSTING*

Expandable table with metal, wood & vinyl chairs: $100

*SOLD SINCE POSTING*

Vintage console/ bar with sliding rose-etched doors: $50

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Click for larger image.

SOLD

Feminine and fun gold-tone vintage jewelry trio.

1. Pierced pineapple dangly earrings, 1 1/4" long
2. Enameled signed Monet rose brooch, 3" long
3. Convertible ribbon pin/pendant, 1 1/2" wide

Price: $20

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*SOLD* This classic chair design has been a staple in schools for over a hundred years - though these chairs likely date to the late 1960s.   I'm uncertain what wood they are made from, but would put my money on maple or beech.  These would look very attractive in an entrance way or den, at a kitchen table, or as part of a fun mismatched diningroom set.  Or, you could get a little crafty and join 'em together as a chair bench!

Measurements: 33" tall (back), 15" deep (seats) and 16" wide (at the front of the seats)

Trio for $30

Inspiration:  DIY Ombre Painted chair!

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This would be a great gift for a bride to be leading up to her wedding!  The silvertone vintage brooches can be incorporated into her bouquet, or given as gifts to her bridesmaids to accent their Big Day finery (perhaps pinned to headbands or to the backs of their dresses).   The strawberry brooch is a Sarah Coventry signed piece, the other three are not signed, but are very pretty all the same.
Price: $20 for all four

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*SOLD* Set of three small metal (brass?) frames, made in Italy, ornate Rococo style - c. 1960s.  The tallest frame measures 8" in height, and the two smaller ones are 5" tall.   The images inside are printed on fabric and feature three children in rather graceful poses.  You can easily replace the artwork - they pop out from the back.

Price: $10 for the trio

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*SOLD*

These vintage divided wooden fruit crates can be used in so many ways!

Just a few ideas:

1. Containers for herb gardens on your balcony

2. Shoe shelving

3. Book cases

4. Kitchen storage

5. Garage organization for sport gear

6. Shed organization for gardening supplies

7. Kitchen storage - just add casters and these can roll into a pantry as a place for you to store cleaning supplies or hardy onions and potatoes.

More examples and ideas here: http://www.houzz.com/vintage-wood-crate

Dimensions of each (one has been painted brown on the exterior): 26" long, 12" deep, 10" tall

Price: $20 for both

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*SOLD* Celebrate the arrival of Spring with a cheerful vintage Italian-made pitcher and five matching glasses! The pitcher stands 6 1/2" tall and the glasses are 3 1/2" - a nice smaller size for those with limited storage space. The bright daisies will pop against your glass of morning juice and you can serve your homemade iced tea or lemonade in style.

Price: $20

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Delightful fire opal & crystal quartz ring, heavy 18kt gold plate, with prong set gems.
Size: 6
Price: $15

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