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#ThrowbackThursday #tbt: The Portrait Studio

January 16, 2014 By Lena

In 2014, I will be participating in #tbt courtesy of the Epson Expression Premium XP-810 Small–in–One printer, the ultimate choice for scanning and printing. Ultra powerful and ultra slim, it produces stunning borderless photos and documents quickly and affordably. Featuring the ultimate in wireless printing, the XP-810 makes it easier than ever to print from your iPad, iPhone, tablet or smartphone, whether in your home or out and about.

The Towers Portrait Studio, circa 1980. Towers, operating as Bonimart in Quebec, was a Canadian discount department store chain owned by the Oshawa Group, a now-defunct grocery retailer and distributor. In 1990, Towers’ 51 stores were purchased by Zellers for $181.5 million and converted to the Zellers name or closed.

The photograph on the right was a “freebie” – an 8 x 10″ portrait included in a photo package that cost a whopping $10.00.

I adore my sweet pink dress, and the Raggedy Ann-style doll peeking though in the background. I love the decidedly sepia-tone of the picture. But my very favourite thing? My hairstyle, of course. Years later, I would spend a lot of time trying to flip out my hair in an effort to duplicate a look that came so naturally to me as toddler.

And if you feel like mentioning the heart-stopping resemblance between Reid and myself, I won’t mind. My too-large-for-my-face eyes and geeky smile could be a throwback to two years ago, when Reid was a toddler himself.

Filed Under: Family Tagged With: #tbt, #throwbackthursday, Epson Expression Premium XP-810 Small–in–One

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Victoria

    January 16, 2014 at 9:07 am

    Haha…looks like Reid with long hair :)

    • Victoria

      January 16, 2014 at 11:04 am

      I have to stop commenting on the photos without reading … it’s a reflex ;)

      • Lena

        January 16, 2014 at 12:32 pm

        Hahaha I’ll forgive you.

  2. susan

    January 16, 2014 at 9:19 am

    I may have just looked at every one of your TBT entries…you were {and are!} adorable.
    Hoping to finally meet you this year! That is one of my blogging goals, k? K. ;)

    Susan
    @avagracescloset

    • Lena

      January 16, 2014 at 12:59 pm

      Hahaha indeed! It would be wonderful to meet you – love your fashionista ways!

  3. Judy C (Judy Cowan)

    January 16, 2014 at 9:52 am

    What a cutie!!! And yes Reid definitely takes after his Mom!

    • Lena

      January 16, 2014 at 1:01 pm

      Thanks Judy, the resemblance is uncanny!

  4. Marissa

    January 16, 2014 at 10:53 am

    Such an adorable picture!!

    • Lena

      January 16, 2014 at 1:01 pm

      Thanks Marissa!

  5. Tricha

    January 16, 2014 at 11:03 am

    Oh yes, he definitely gets his looks from you. Quite adorable.

    • Lena

      January 16, 2014 at 1:01 pm

      Thank you Tricha :)

  6. Flora M

    January 16, 2014 at 1:45 pm

    Wow – I remember Towers now… it’s sad that Zellers is also gone from the Canadian retail-scape.
    As for your picture – it’s adorable. I guess you could call Reid your “mini-me”. My oldest granddaughter is my current “mini-me” – before her was my daughter (her mom).

    • Lena

      January 16, 2014 at 1:54 pm

      I called my mom this morning to ask her where the photo was taken, and when she said “Towers”, I was like, “Where?” I have no recollection of the store at all! And yes, it’s nice to have a Mini-Me :)

  7. AlwaysARedhead

    January 16, 2014 at 2:57 pm

    You look wonderful, a very natural smile.

    • Lena

      January 16, 2014 at 3:37 pm

      Thank you Catherine :)

  8. Chandra Christine O'Connor

    January 16, 2014 at 3:13 pm

    you were so adorable, wish my kids looked like me. my oldest looks just like her dad and my youngest looks more like my sister then me.

    • Lena

      January 16, 2014 at 3:38 pm

      Well, if your youngest looks like your sister, then at least she DID inherit your side! Glass half full, remember? :)

      • Chandra Christine O'Connor

        January 21, 2014 at 1:20 pm

        youre right lol

  9. Soozle

    January 16, 2014 at 5:35 pm

    Awwww :) You were so adorable, Lena! :)

    Is that a dress made by your mom as well? I am watching for more of her seamstress magic in the TBT photos :)

    • Lena

      January 16, 2014 at 6:25 pm

      LOL Soozle… true story: everything I wore until I was 4 years old was made by my mom! So yes, you’ll be seeing a lot of her seamstress magic!!

  10. caryn s

    January 20, 2014 at 1:20 pm

    Love this baby pic of your Lena too cute!

    • Lena

      February 9, 2014 at 2:15 pm

      Thank you Caryn :)

  11. MyBitsandBleeps

    January 20, 2014 at 3:18 pm

    It’s clear where he gets his looks from!

    … besides, you are and were adorable!

    • Lena

      February 9, 2014 at 2:15 pm

      Aw, thank you Jeannine!

  12. Victoria Ess

    January 24, 2014 at 11:45 pm

    Aw total resemblance! Do you see a similarities with young Ryder?

    • Lena

      February 9, 2014 at 2:15 pm

      Very few :( I’m afraid Ryder is ALL my husband!

  13. MrDisco

    January 25, 2014 at 7:43 pm

    I totally remember Towers. Great store. decent toy selection.

    • Lena

      February 9, 2014 at 2:16 pm

      Yep, I miss it.

  14. francine

    February 8, 2014 at 1:51 pm

    cute. my oldest looks like me. my mom found an old picture of me as a kid and except for a few small differences he looks just like I did

    • Lena

      February 9, 2014 at 2:16 pm

      That’s awesome!

  15. Guppy5700

    February 22, 2014 at 2:05 pm

    Your eyes are definitely not too large! I’ve always wished for bigger eyes and the trend for makeup styles and contact lenses to artificially enlarge the appearance of eyes is huge.
    Check this article out –
    http://zidbits.com/2011/06/why-do-men-find-women-with-larger-eyes-attractive/

    • Lena

      February 22, 2014 at 2:50 pm

      Thanks for linking the article Lisa! Definitely an interesting read!

  16. Susan T.

    April 26, 2014 at 4:00 pm

    I remember Sears Portrait Studio pictures! Yours is super cute but the one’s I have from childhood are not so much! Lol!

  17. kathy downey

    August 28, 2017 at 1:25 pm

    Oh my goodness i can certainly see your youngest in this photo!

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Lena Almeida

Toronto Blogger, Social Media Strategist for Listen to Lena Inc. Television & Radio Personality, Columnist and Speaker. Family Travel Expert. Star Wars Fanatic. Perfecting the Art of Conversuasion. Read More…

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