Thrifting - MAYUMI IZUMI

December 28, 2023December 28, 2023

Fashion, I Love It, Don’t You?

I began my fashion journey at the age of seven. I remember the day clearly. My mom brought home an outfit and I didn’t like it. I told her from now on, not to buy clothes for me unless I was with her.

In 1999, I studied fashion design at the International Academy of Design and Technology (IAOD) in Toronto. First, I had taken textile design in high school for 2 years and, I won the textile design award in my senior year. After I completed the program and returned to Vancouver, I graduated from Vancouver Community College (VCC). And I was proud to wear my gown and cap to receive the Fashion Merchandising Certificate. I designed and constructed the black suede skirt while attending IAOD as well as the corset dress in the featured photo when I was at VCC Fashion.

Columnist

And then fast forward to 2022, I had my own column at Capilano Courier called “CapU, What Are You Wearing?”. In the column, I interviewed faculty and students on campus to ask about their outfits and in the process found out more about the people behind the clothes. It was a fun way to get to know the Capilano University community better and combine my love of vogue with my passion for writing.

Thrifted Fashion

Currently, my fashionista ways has turned thrift shopping into an addiction. If you are interested in having your own style and enjoy clothes shopping, you should start thrifting. It is like a modern day treasure hunt and adventure. The best part is you never know what unique items that you will find.

What’s more is that there are thrift stores all across Metro Vancouver, but some of the best are in East Van such as My Sister’s Closet, Miscellany Thrift and Vintage and Still Fabulous. And in North Vancouver, my favourite is Clothes For A Change and Good Stuff Connection. For online shopping, my favourite is my own pop-up boutique, Mobile Vintage By M and M and Facebook Marketplace. I created an Instagram and Facebook profiles dedicated to thrifted finds.

FI INC.

Finally, I launched my website in 2018 in combination with my digital marketing business FI INC. I started an interview series that I originally named Babes Promoting Babes where I featured local small business owners and the people behind the businesses.

If you would like to find out more about my blog and interview series read the interview on myself.

February 19, 2023February 21, 2023

BC Family Day Long Weekend

5 Fun Things To Do This Long Weekend

If you are looking for something to do this BC Family Day long weekend, you don’t have to look far. My longtime bff and I just went for an amazing Sunday brunch at Catch 122 in the Shipyards District. Although they were crazy busy when I called, the hostess set us up on their waitlist using the Open Table app.

While I waited for Mona to pick me up, I received a text letting me know that our table was ready. I was able to select an option that said we’re on our way so that the restaurant would save it for us. I’m so grateful for this system because when we arrived the wait was over an hour.

I ordered their Huevos Rancheros and my gf had their Seasonal French Toast. It looked like a huge piece of cake and was so filling that she took half of it home. Both were delicious and our server, Anna provided us with great customer service.

2. Go to MONOVA (Museum of North Vancouver) at 115 West Esplanade, just steps from Lonsdale Quay and the Seabus station. They have a wonderful Indigenous exhibit, a beautiful gift shop and are hosting a Family Day Event tomorrow from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm. Amission is free all day long!

When you are a member you will receive a 10% discount on the merchandise in their gift shop as well as your guests admission to the museum. I purchased Northwest Coast artist, Kelly Robinson‘s Raven Transforming small porcelain dish (shown in the photo below) and the matching platter.

Raven Transforming Kelly Robinson Fine Porcelain Dish — Northwest Coast artist, Kelly Robinson’s Raven Transforming fine porcelain dish

3. MONOVA is also hosting a free virtual Coast Salish Wool Weaving Event tomorrow from 6:30 to 7:30 pm. The free tickets are available on EventBrite. The museum made it very easy to register for the tickets and pick up the bracelet making supplies. Tsawasiya Spukwas (Alice Guss), MONOVA’s Indigenous Cultural Programmer will be teaching the participants about Coast Salish wool weaving and showing us how to make a wool bracelet. I can’t wait! I registered my Mama and I for the workshop.

MONOVA Coast Salish Wool Weaving Supplies and Event — Coast Salish Wool Weaving Supplies from MONOVA

4. If you love thrift shopping as much as Mona and I, there are 3 shops in Lower Lonsdale that you should check out. First time for both us was Wild Honey Vintage, a curated collection from sisters, Joanie and Sarah. Their boutique is in a cozy space that makes you feel like you’re walking into your friend’s living room.

A block up on Lonsdale, is Hunter and Hare, consignment shop with an assortment of goodies: jewelry, hair accessories, shoes, purses, clothing, candles, essential oils and journals. I didn’t buy anything today, but previously picked up some great barrettes that I wear all the time. If you are following me on Instagram, you’ve seen them. Lol.

Another block up is the Good Stuff Connection thrift shop and clothing program at 154 West 3rd Street. It is operated by North Shore Crisis Services Society, a registered North Vancouver charity that helps women and children escape from domestic violence and abuse.

Mona and I found a lot of great thrifty finds! I bought two pairs of Wild Abandon earrings, terry cloth slippers for Mama, an Ikea bathmat and an R&W scarf. And she got an Alisha Keys CD, black mules and pink jeans.

Wild Abandon Jewelry from the Good Stuff Connection thrift store

5. And last but not least, a great IG worthy photo background–Fun Alley! It is located right beside Buddha-Full, Lower Lonsdale vegan restaurant.

November 18, 2019

Vancouver Is Expensive AF – Thrifting Is My Solution!

What was once just for fun, has turned into a lifestyle and necessity for me. Through one of my Instagram alter egos, Miss M: https://www.instagram.com/missmsthriftyfinds/ – I am your guide to thrifting and share my thrifty finds that I purchase mainly via Facebook Marketplace sellers, but also at my favourite thrift store, Clothes For Change in North Vancouver and various other thrift stores sprinkled throughout our city such as BC SOS Thrift Stores in Steveston.

Thrifting brings me such joy. I plan a whole day around my Facebook Marketplace appointments and make it an adventure! On Saturday, I had two appointments in Port Coquitlam and invited my Mom, Mako to join me in my modern day treasure hunt.

We picked up a NYX eyeshadow palette for $10.00, an IKEA rug for ONLY $5.00, enjoyed lunch at Arisu where the food was so yummy that it immediately became my new favourite Korean restaurant. After lunch we went downstairs and did some grocery shopping at Hanam Supermarket.

The pricing was good at the market, fresh produce AND best of all they have a customer loyalty program in which they reward us with points and exclusive special prices. They gave me 3 key tags so I gave one to my Mom.

Hanam customer service actually recommended sharing their loyalty program with family and friends when they gave me the key tags. Great for sustainability and since Mako would be coming with me it only made sense that we would open just one loyalty account.

Thrift shopping, even if you’re just looking is a great way to spend the afternoon with friends or family. On Sunday, I met up with one of my BFFs and Big Sis, Mona on Commercial Drive in the heart of Vancouver thrift.

We went to Miscellany Finds for the first time and it is a huge store with lots of great thrifty finds! And the best part we didn’t spend a dime. A truly thrifty experience – we were just window shopping …